Compared to What

by Gene McDaniels

Recorded on the album "Swiss Movement" by Les McCann and Eddie Harris, on Atlantic Records, "Live" at the 1969 Montreux Jazz festival.

1. I love to lie and lie to love

I'm hangin' on, they push and shove

Possession is the motivation that is hangin' up the God damn nation

Looks like we all might end up in a rut -- everybody now

Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

2. Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs

Twisted children killin' frogs

Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs

Tired old ladies kissin' dogs

I hate the human love of that stinkin' mutt -- I can't use it

Try to make it real compared to what.

3. President he's got his war

Folks don't know just what it's for

Nobody gives us rhyme or reason

Have one doubt, they call it treason

We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut -- God damn it

Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

4. Church on Sunday, sleep and nod

Tryin' to duck the wrath of God

Preachers fillin' us with fright

They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right

They really got to be some kind of nut -- I can't use it

Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

5. Where's that beat and where's that honey

Where's my God and where's my money

Unreal values a crass distortion

Unwed mothers need abortion

Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut -- he did it now

Tried to make it real compared to what!

updated April 1st, 2004 by Jan Chciuk-Celt