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Song for the Bogeyman

from FAWM 2023 by Gary McGath

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about

This song was a response to a wave of neo-Nazi vandalism, most likely the work of one loser, in Portsmouth, NH. Too often these punks get characterized as proud and frightening, building up their self-image. This song treats them as they deserve.

The tune, written by Haydn to honor the emperor and reused in his "Emperor" Quartet, has been used many times. The Nazis adopted a version with the words "Deutschland über alles," but it's now used as the German national anthem, beginning with the words "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit."

lyrics

There are people with no purpose
But to play the bogeyman.
Scrawling signs and vandalizing
To scare people if they can.
Softly snarling, madly growling,
Hiding in the dark, they jeer.
Cowards posing as hobgoblins
Thinking they can make us fear.

They pretend to be superior,
Claiming they're the master race.
Telling us that they will conquer
While we're laughing in their face.
Not a thing can they accomplish
But to make us do repairs.
Cowards posing as hobgoblins
Putting on their stupid airs.

"Unity and right and freedom":
These words Germans sing today,
The old words of lies and murder
They have firmly thrown away.
Only in a few dark corners
Paint and insults vandals fling.
Cowards posing as hobgoblins
Showing they aren't worth a thing.

credits

from FAWM 2023, released February 27, 2023
The tune is Joseph Haydn's "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser."

license

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Gary McGath Boston, Massachusetts

New England filksinger.

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