On With the Song

Mary Chapin Carpenter)

This isn't for the ones who blindly follow
Jingoistic bumper stickers tellin' you
To love it or leave it, and you'd better love Jesus,
And get out of the way of the Red, White and Blue

This isn't for the ones who buy their six-packs
At the 7-Eleven where the clerk makes change,
Whose accent makes clear (he) sure ain't from here,
They call him a camel jockey, instead of his name

[Chorus:]
No, this is for the ones who stand their ground,
When the lines in the sand get deeper,
When the whole world seems to be upside down,
And (the) shots bein' taken get cheaper, cheaper

This isn't for the ones who would gladly swallow
Everything their leader would have them know.
Bowin' and kissin' while the truth goes missin'
"Bring it on," he crows, puttin' on his big show.

This isn't for the man who can't count the bodies,
Can't comfort the families, can't say when he's wrong.
Playin' "I'm the decider," like some sort of Messiah
While another day passes, and a hundred souls gone.

[Chorus]

This is for the ones that I see above me,
Three little stars in a great big sky,
Light for the world and hope for the weary,
They try.

This isn't for the ones with their radio signal,
Callin' for bonfires and boycotts, they rave.
Exhorting their listeners to spit on the sinners,
While countin' the bucks of advertising, they'll say.

[Tag Chorus:]
This isn't for you and you know who you are.
Just do what you want 'cause I know that you can.
But I gotta be true to myself and to you,
So on with the song, I don't give a damn.

From "The Calling" 2007