Monday, May 6, 2013

The Day the Levy Died (American Pie - Revised)

 Here is my revised version of American Pie, utilizing a little liberty with the "levee".  Sing along with me.  I know you know the melody!







A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that teacher used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those students dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But May 11th makes me shiver
With every Facebook post I quiver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take more more ed-
itorial in the Morgan Mess
When I read about the other side
But something touched me deep inside
The day the teachers cried

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my School Board to the Levy
But the Levy was dry
And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high
Singing this'll be the day that they cry
This'll be the day that they cry

Did you vote for the Levy then
In the 50's it was when
Morgan County they began
Do you believe in your success
Can schools save us from the rest
And can you teach me how to do with less
'Cause I saw you spendin in the store
You both bought brand news shoes and more
Man, I want some of those too
I was a lonely tax payin' broncin buck
With bills and kids in a Suburban truck
But, I knew I was out of luck
The day the levy died
I started singin'

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my School Board to the Levy
But the Levy was dry
And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high
Singing this'll be the day that they cry
This'll be the day that they cry

Now for five decades, we've been on our own
With no moss growin on the "Banks" of stone
But that's not how it might soon be
With the levy gone jobs at the Dairy Queen
will be all our kids have seen
Said a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the King was looking down
And Brooks tried to steal His thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
Kate's verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The band still practiced in the park
Parents sang dirges in the dark
The day the levy died
We were singing...

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my School Board to the levy
But the Levy was dry
And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high
Singing this'll be the day that they cry
This'll be the day that they cry

I met a mom who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I too have bills at the sacred store
Where my kids need fed like yours before
But the man there said the levy wouldn't pay

And in the streets the students screamed
The teachers cried, and the parents dreamed
But not a word was spoken
School buildings all were broken
And the three men I admire the most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the levy died
And they were singing

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my School Board to the Levy
But the Levy was dry
And the ole Sheetz boys were drinkin' coffee and high
Singing this'll be the day that they cry
This'll be the day that they cry

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