Union Songs

The Safe Thing

A song by Ray Korona©Ray Korona 2003

I asked him if he'd help us to spread the word around
Of the thousands not permitted to be free.
They're jailed with no charges; held in secret without rights.
He said, "No. Sorry. Not me."

chorus:
It's the safe thing to do. Learn to look the other way.
Pretend you don’t know. Say you have nothing to say.

There's a place where they teach torture, a military school.
Its graduates make lots of people die.
We've got to close it down. This petition's worth a try.
He said, "No. Sorry. Goodbye."

chorus

bridge:
He told me there are way too many causes
And he's not a political man.
He didn't just turn and walk away; he ran!

Now he watches TV reruns behind a bolted door
In his big chair by the artificial plant.
He keeps the shades pulled down and if anyone should call,
He says, "No. Sorry. I can't."

chorus

Notes

Many thanks to Ray Korona for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection.

Ray writes:
'Now, more than ever before, basic rights and freedoms in the US are being taken away by legislation and executive action as part of a "war on terrorism." These are not small, insignificant changes. Both citizens and non-citizens now have far fewer rights in the areas of speech, privacy, imprisonment, counsel, travel and more.'

For related music & more information, visit: http://www.raykorona.com

Find more of Ray's work in this collection

Return to top of page