Tag: busking

bookmark_borderPermit Permitted

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LYRICS
Minimum wage, drinking age
Paragraph 1a), first page
It’s a…
Mixed-up bureaucracy betwixt hypocrisy
Fix is in conspiracy
So, corrupt I can see
(From see to slithering see)

Busking permit, speed limit
Paragraph 1a), original edit
Mixed-up bureaucracy betwixt hypocrisy
Fix is in conspiracy
So, corrupt I can see

Do not enter, do not loiter
Paragraph 1a) to the letter
Mixed-up bureaucracy betwixt hypocrisy
Fix is in conspiracy
So, corrupt I can see
Indeed,
You need a permit to read the permit to read, indeed.

Cross at the green, not in-between*
*see the small print… do you know what I mean?
Mixed-up bureaucracy betwixt hypocrisy
Fix is in conspiracy
So, corrupt I can see

Law can’t bend, won’t amend
Signed, sealed, send… The End

Permit Permitted.mp3

ABOUT THE SONG
A song about West Chester’s Busking Permit which outlaws reading without a permit. How are you suppose to read the permit application?

Style: Alternative Protest Folk Rock
Chords: (guitar just g#) E / Mix 5 or more chords (A G E D landing on E)
Recording: digital stereo

Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard

Written at the corner of Gay and Church Streets in Chester County, West Chester, PA.

From the album Gay Church

bookmark_borderWhen the Band Begins to Play

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Boycott Penn's Table Restaurant
Boycott Penn’s Table Restaurant

LYRICS
Thought about it once
Thought about it twice
The thought might be nice
To begin to think again
Thought there was a chance
They’d let us dance
It really is no sin… to begin
When the band begins to play
It doesn’t matter what they say
When the band begins to play
We’re going to dance anyway
Hey! What are you doing
… begin to think again
Now that I’ve thought it through
I know just what to do
Grab your hand and dance with you

When the Band Begins to Play.mp3

Boycott Malena's
Boycott Malena’s

ABOUT THE SONG
A song about West Chester outlawing playing music and dancing.

Style: Alternative Folk Rock
Chords: E B A E / E –> A B / A G E
Recording: live digital 1-track stereo

Vocals, Guitar

Written at the corner of Gay and Church Streets in West Chester, Chester County, PA. Recorded at Everhart Park.

From the album Gay Church

bookmark_borderPermit To Carry

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Busking Permit
Busking Permit

LYRICS
I got a permit to carry my axe
Now going out and have some attacks
Allowed to sing and dance some, too
Now the question is, “How about you?”
Got your permit?
We’ll get lit!
Got your permit?
Let’s get lit!
Got your permit?
Come get lit!
Got your permit?
Get you permit
You better make it quick

Do some magic that’s really slick
Rabbit from a hat… or slight-of-hand trick
I might recite while fire juggling
Thespian, asked again, “Are you acting?”

I might read what I write
Then play it right into the night
Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
Now I’ve a permit, they can’t balk
Got your permit?
We’ll get lit!
Got your permit
Let’s get lit!
Got your permit?
Get you permit
You better make it quick

Permit To Carry (Video).mp4

Permit To Carry / West Chester, Pennsylvania.mp3

Permit To Carry Live.mp3

ABOUT THE SONG
A song about an unconstitutional law that makes performance art a crime in West Chester, Pennsylvania. You must have a permit to do any of the following:
acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, sidewalk art (working with non-permanent, water-soluble media, i.e., chalk, pastels, or watercolors directly on the pavement), and reciting.

The West Chester “Footloose” Ordinance

Style: Protest Folk Rock
Chords: E A B7
Vocals, Guitar
Alternative version includes electric piano and electric slide guitar
Written and recorded West Chester, Pennsylvania
From the album Gay Church

Alternative Version

bookmark_borderWhat’s Up

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LYRICS
What’s up with this, America?
Dumbfounding it is, America
No longer free to be brave
Is this any way to behave
Am I a public servant’s slave?

What’s up with this, America?
Dumbfounding it is, America
This town spent the 1st Amendment
Twisted the Constitution till bent
Now it doesn’t read the way it’s meant

What’s up with this, America?
Dumbfounding it is, America
They say you can’t say
They say you can’t play
Not any time… night or day

What’s up with this, America?
Dumbfounding it is, America
Reciting the Pledge is a crime
No Star Spangled Banner at any time
For you, County Seat, I’m cryin’
Over all of your cheatin’ and lyin’

What’s up with this, America?
Dumbfounding it is, America

What’s Up? .mp3

ABOUT
This song is about the West Chester Busking Ordinance.

The following activities are a crime without a license:
BUSKING (OR PERFORM) – includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, sidewalk art (working with non­-permanent, water­-soluble media, i.e., chalk, pastels, or watercolors directly on the pavement), and reciting.

Despite public hearings, testimony and votes to the contrary, the ordinance was passed behind closed doors.

Style: Protest Folk Rock
Chords: C Am G

Vocals, Guitar

Written at the corner of Gay and Church Streets in Chester County, West Chester, PA.

From the album Gay Church

bookmark_borderHypocrisy Of Bureaucracy

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Mr. Malena's flips the bird at a public hearing
Mr. Malena’s flips the bird at a public hearing

LYRICS
The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Is embedded in their head
The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Is headed where we dread
In fact, it’s quite frightening
Getting struck twice by lightning
(The hypocrisy of the bureaucracy)

The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Rains reign on our head
The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Reigns the arts are dead
In fact, it’s quite frightening
Getting struck twice by lightning
(The hypocrisy of the bureaucracy)

The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Don’t let it be spoon-fed
The fallacy of their bureaucracy
Should be eliminated instead
The hypocrisy of the bureaucracy
The fallacy of their democracy
The hypocrisy of the bureaucracy
The hypocrisy of their democracy
The fallacy of their bureaucracy
The hypocrisy of the bureaucracy

Hypocrisy Of Bureaucracy.mp3

ABOUT THE SONG
Style: Freedom Folk Rock
Chords: E G A E / A G E
Recording: 2-track stereo

Vocals, Takamine Guitar, Keyboards (microKorg, Korg N364, Yamaha PSR-740, Casio WK-3500, miniNova)

Written at the corner of Gay and Church Streets. Recorded in Chester County, West Chester, PA.

A song inspired by West Chester Borough, Malena’s and Penn’s Table Restaurant attempts to impede free speech.

From the album Gay Church

bookmark_borderIndependence Day Dependence

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LYRICS
Here’s the problem with the thing
Have you the freedom to sing?
Dare you take a chance…
n’ be free to dance

Growing dependence on Independence Day

How can you be reciting
When they’ve outlawed reading
Sure seems their fights
Violate rights

Growing dependence on Independence Day

At times I’m at a loss
No mimes says the boss
No juggling, music or magic
… I’m getting sick

Growing dependence on Independence Day

Independence Day Dependence at Gay Church.mp4

Independence Day Dependence.mp3

ABOUT THE SONG
Style: ExperiMental Music
Chords: G C / D G
Recording: live

Vocals, Guitar

Written and recorded at the corner of Gay and Church Streets in Chester County, West Chester, PA.

Inspired by the West Chester Busking Ordinance and hate crimes in West Chester.

West Chester Borough tries to ban any expression without a license:

BUSKING (OR PERFORM) – Includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading, puppetry, reciting and sidewalk art (chalk or watercolors).