Political Poems and Songs of Protest

Ten Thousand Lies

Ten Thousand Lies
(to the tune of Sixteen Tons)

Some people think life is struggle and pain,
A rich man knows that life is a game.
Life is a game and money keeps score,
The rich stay rich and keep the poor man poor.

You tell ten thousand lies and what do you get,
A nation in darkness and drowning in debt.
Abe Lincoln don't you haunt us now, please look away.
There's a bigot living in your white house today.

Born to a mansion in a rich neighborhood,
Learned how to hustle, grew up to no good.
Grew up to no good, lies and scams,
I sold my soul so I don't give a damn.

You tell ten thousand lies and what do you get,
A nation in darkness and drowning in debt.
Abe Lincoln don't you haunt us now, please look away.
There's a bigot living in your white house today.

Failed casinos and real estate deals,
Hang on to your wallet 'cuz I'm ready to steal,
Ready to steal, take your dreams,
I got Russian hackers to back my schemes.

You tell ten thousand lies and what do you get,
A nation in darkness and drowning in debt.
Abe Lincoln don't you haunt us now, please look away.
There's a bigot living in your white house today.

Colored or poor better not even try,
My wall protects whites and the power is mine.
Power is mine, it's come to pass,
Your huddled masses can kiss my ass.

You tell ten thousand lies and what do you get,
A nation in darkness and drowning in debt.
Abe Lincoln don't you haunt us now, please look away.
There's a bigot living in your white house today.

Terrence G. Fisher 2018

Author note ▼

These lyrics are set to the tune of “Sixteen Tons” as sung by the late great Tennessee Ernie Ford. If you’re not familiar with it, then I strongly suggest you have a listen. It’s a part of our American heritage!

Hear the original: https://youtu.be/Joo90ZWrUkU

The original title was ‘Six Hundred Lies’. Trump blew by that number before I even finished, so I changed the title to ‘Six Thousand Lies’. Two years later I had to change it again. ‘Dishonest Don’ is now on pace to surpass 15,000 if he’s not impeached before 2020.