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OUTTAKE: Puppets

from Lucky by Ira Marlowe

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about

I've very proud of this song, particularly the lyrics, but now that W. is gone it feels a bit dated. (Thankfully.)

lyrics

Pinocchio, that lying bastard
thumbs his nose at each disasster
Karl the perfect puppet-master
gives the crowd just what it’s after
A dose of fear, a dose of fervor
Freedom here will be your server
Mother Courage lost her nerve, her
children get what they deserve

Oh… it’s been a long year
Oh… it’s gettin’ cold here

And did they tell you to be careful with your life?
Did they tell you to befriend yourself?
Every puppet thinks he’s doing what he likes
But he’s only doing what he can’t
help
help
help

Powder up the fearless leader
Pick his brain with cash and tweezers
Says he’s got a friend in Jesus
Wish he had more friends like Caesar’s
A dose of fear, you can’t resist it
Superheroes, iron-fisted
Fine print, I guess they missed it
at the mall where they enlisted
They were raw but they were ready
Just nineteen, but holding steady
Tickertape for Shell and Getty
Bags and bags of red confetti

Oh… it’s been a long year
Oh… it’s gettin’ cold here

And did they tell you to be careful with your life?
Did they tell you to befriend yourself?
Every puppet says he’s doing what he likes
But he’s only doing what he can’t
help
help
help

Come on, Venus, don’t get sappy
Mars was always trigger-happy
Bat your eyes and shut your trap, he
might just let you off his lap

Huns are come down from the Highlands
Sons of Cain were born to violence
When our heroes’ guns are silent
See ‘em on the traffic islands

credits

from Lucky, released January 4, 2010

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ira Marlowe Berkeley, California

Ira Marlowe's songs have appeared in indy films, been featured on NPR and Dr. Demento, and won the Parent's Choice Award. He's taught songwriting at UC Berkeley and penned the tunes for four shows by a Tony-winning theatre troupe. He lives in Berkeley, CA with his dog Potus. ... more

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