The Big Men Came

Once I was a big league troublemaker

A thorn in authority's side

I marched a lot and sang a lot

And talked a good deal more

My attitude was known far and wide

I was looked upon with awe in certain circles

For you never could be sure just what I'd say

And then not too long ago

My presence was laid low

When the big men came and took my voice away

I can't say I was minding my own business

I never was too good at keeping still

I was stirring up a ruckus

Right outside the White House door

While the President kicked around some stupid bill

I hopped up on a soapbox and I shouted

"Downtrodden people, this will be your day!"

I was getting pretty loud

And then right out of the crowd

The big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came

And they took away my voice

Now I can only shake my fists

And never make a noise

They warned me not to talk so loud

Or there would come a day

When the big men would come take my voice away.

They brought along a writ and a subpoena

Those fellas surely didn't waste their time

They threw me on the ground

And they didn't make a sound

And they didn't even charge me with a crime

They reached right down my throat and grabbed my larynx

Tacked on a little tag, "Exhibit A"

And the people that were there

Walked away without a care

When the big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came

And they took away my voice

Now I can only shake my fists

And never make a noise

They warned me not to talk so loud

Or there would come a day

When the big men would come take my voice away.

Now it's sitting with my file inside a folder

So it won't fall in the hands of evil men

The accompanying report

Is to the point and short

With a footnote that says "Freedom wins again!"

I try to put my speeches down on paper*

But who has time to read these busy days?

And I notice with a frown

That my brain is slowing down

Since the big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came

And they took away my voice

Now I can only shake my fists

And never make a noise

They warned me not to talk so loud

Or there would come a day

When the big men would come take my voice away.