Written in 1791 by Scots poet and tax collector Robert Burns, “A Parcel of Rogues” was his heated response to the loathsome “Act of Union” with England. In October 2013, I merely fiddled with Burns’ lyrics during the Tea Party’s shutdown of the U.S. government. It didn’t take much. Me and Burns share the same muse. In January 2017, when I first posted this, the depth of the treason committed by craven politicians upon our democracy had become appallingly apparent. In 2024, we’re looking at the life or death of democracy. Vote in November to save that democracy for all of us!
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Away with independence dear
Farewell to freedom’s glory
And farewell to our lighted lamp
So famed in immigrant story
From media throughout the lands
Lies pour in defamation
To mark where power’s province stands
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation
What force or guile could not subdue
Through many warlike ages
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor’s wages
Direct attack we could sustain
With heroes at their station
But constant lies have been our bane
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation
I wish I’d never seen the day
When treason thus could sell us
When hate and greed would have their sway
Led by religious zealots
With breath and power till my last hour
I make this declaration
We stand and fight with all our might
This parcel of rogues in a nation
new words © 2024 Donna Hébert