Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (John McCutcheon)

Subject: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 04:16 PM

My brother was asking me to find the lyrics to Ashcroft's Army by John McCutcheon. I looked on his website and did not find the lyrics. If anyone has them, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army
From: breezy
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 05:34 PM

Its not 'Armstrong's Army ' by jez Lowe by any chance?

Subject: ADD: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 06:47 PM

Ah, you didn't look far enough, Phil. It's on his recent album of topical songs, Hail to the Chief. On This Page (click), you'll find links to complete MP3 recordings of this and other topical songs by McCutcheon. He doesn't think they have long-term sale value, so he made them available on his Website.
-Joe Offer-

---

Ashcroft's Army (2002)
words and music by John McCutcheon

Operation TIPS! Sign me up! I wanna be a spy!

I saw him on TV last night
In a suit of somber blue
He said it was time for all Americans
To do what we must do
Take out your x-ray glasses
And your decoder rings
We need ordinary people
To keep an eye on things

So…

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
I wanna be a spy
I wanna watch my neighbor's doings
Kiss your rights goodbye
In this legal devolution
A perfect chance for retribution
Let's just can the Constitution
I wanna be a spy

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
I wanna be a fed
I might look like the meter man
But I'm a spook instead
Delivering pizza or the mail
Buddy, you can never tell
I'll haul your sorry ass to jail
I wanna be a spy

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
I wanna be a sleuth
I wanna catch some terrorists
Don't worry 'bout the truth
If I see you hanging 'round
Wearin' a turban and your skin is brown
You're gonna take a ride downtown
I wanna be a spy

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
I'm gonna be a mole
It's time to show the rest or my neighbors
Just who's in control
The Vice-President said, "Shame on you!"
The Attorney General said it too
"Don't you question what we do!"
I wanna be a spy

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
I wanna a G-Man
He used to be a Senator
But now he is a free man
He's a Attorney General instead
'Cause the people of Missouri said
"We'd rather vote for a guy who's dead!"
I wanna be a spy

I wanna be in Ashcroft's Army
But still I've gotta wonder
Where was all this spying
When Adelphia went under
When Enron ran off with the loot
And Worldcom went right down the chute
Some terrorists where pin-striped suits
I wanna be a spy

Charlottesville, VA August, 2002

©2002 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 07:40 PM

Joe, Thanks a lot. Just what I wanted. --Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: open mike
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 12:19 AM

i think he calls these short shelf life songs...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: momnopp
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 12:37 AM

My favorite is "Hail to the Chief" (the song, as opposed to the album) Blicky . My 13 year old son, Dylan has memorized it and loves to recite it -- always a crowd pleaser...

Peace,

JudyO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 12:11 PM

Well, that's one to warm the cockles of my heart!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: open mike
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 01:10 PM

the term "short shelf life" is taken from Tom Paxton's words..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 01:26 AM

He said at his concert here last night the whole CD ( Hail to the Chief) was freely downloadable.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: momnopp
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 12:29 PM

Hi, Harpgirl -- I was at the concert, too :-) I believe that four or five of the songs are available as mp3 files on www.folkmusic.com, but not all 13...

I love his stuff; and it's fun to see him live, too.

JudyO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 02:29 PM

The MP3 link is just a little bit hard to find. It's here (click). There are twelve songs available for download today - the number goes up and down.
All of John's lyrics are available on his Website. I wish more performers would be so generous.
I heard a radio announcement that John was supposed to do a concert with Utah Phillips in Nevada City, California (not far from me). I didn't find any more information, and then I forgot it - I think I missed it. Darn. Phillips is usually in the audience when McCutcheon performs in this area.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ashcroft's Army (McCutcheon)
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 10:07 AM

Has anyone posted the ltrics to Armstrong's Army as mentioned briefly above?