Story Behind The Song
I spent several years battling the corrupt and now discredited Texas Regional Narcotics Task Force System, federally funded and granted forfeiture powers to take a citizen's property if it can be connected to illicit drug use. Wide scale abuses by the Tas
Song Description
Folk country blues song a la Country Joe and the Fish lampooning the drug war.
| Song Length |
2:51 |
Genre |
Folk - Country, Blues - Country |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Nonviolent, Diplomatic |
Subject |
Anti, Justice |
| Similar Artists |
Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
I was upper middle class, I had a yard of carpet grass,
Worked a back hoe nine to five and paid my union dues.
But the sheriff came one day and he took it all away
And left me without anything to lose.
They forfeited my car, they found some sugar in a jar.
Told me it was probably suspicion of a crime.
The other day I saw it being driven by the law.
The boys in back were going to do some time.
Forfeiture today, Lord, what a funny way to pay,
To keep the peace so all our kids can go outside and play.
Without a coton pickin' thing to lose,
I got the Deep East Texas Task Force Blues.
They took my mini-bar and then they seized my VCR,
Cause it could be misused to have a nasty video.
They took away my kitchen all the time my wife was bitchin'
That it wasn't nothing but oregano.
They said my herbal tea might cause a sinful ecstacy.
Told me it could only lead to doing something hard.
They took my ass to jail. They took my wife to pay my bail.
They took my double-wide down to the county yard.
Forfeiture today, Lord, what a funny way to pay,
To keep the peace so all our kids can go outside and play.
Without a coton pickin' thing to lose,
I got the Deep East Texas Task Force Blues.