From the recording OFF THE ROAD
Lyrics
IDIOT'S PARADE
words & music by Grayson Hugh
Director says "speak into the microphone"
sound man taps it, "testing one, two, three"
waiters gliding, putting plates down on the table
each one worth a couple thousand or three
At 8:00 the network t.v. folks are buzzing
surveying the scene of the big debate
everyone's getting their faces powdered & painted
looking more like a clown than a candidate
Yes, I think the founding fathers
must be laughing in their graves
to see this carnival of congress
marching down the halls of history
on prime time t.v.
in this idiot's parade
When they finally start talking
it's a big anti-climax
'cause none of them really has one thing to say
reporters gather 'round them
just like bloodhounds sniffing
pencils poised, ready to spear their prey
And everyone's making a million & one promises
they're all going to forget every word they say
forget about you & me
when they sit down in the white house
makes me want to laugh
but I think I better pray
Yes, I think the founding fathers
must be crying in their graves
to see this carnival of congress
marching down the halls of history
on prime time t.v.
in this idiot's parade
Tell me something I don't know
please, somebody, pull the plug
somebody stop the show
Time's about up and you ain't said nothing
nothing we ain't heard a thousand times before
better watch out, mister, we ain't bluffing
you're under arrest for being such a bore
Yes, I think the founding fathers
talking 'bout Tom & George & Ab
must be shaking their heads sadly
watching their dreams before them fade
Yes, I think the founding fathers
wish they missed this whole charade
seeing this carnival of congress
tearing down the walls of history
on prime time t.v.
in this idiot's parade
...you can turn the mike off, now..
you say "I hope I get the black vote"
you can't even remember the speech
somebody else wrote
as the fat lady applauds you in a big fur coat..
you're looking at the door, you want to get on your boat... all you want to do is sip your coffee on the white house lawn and take lots of helicopter rides....
© 1989, 2020 by River Soul Music/ASCAP