"...a songwriting, accordion playing, harmony singing, storytelling,
hand drumming, banjo strumming, soul stirring,
two woman tour-de-force."
With award-winning songwriting and musicianship, Wishing Chair, "never fails to create that exhilarating sense one gets when great melodies, strong harmonies, and superb execution come together," says The Performing Songwriter Magazine. The 6th CD and latest offering from this roots/folk duo is no exception. Produced by Grammy nominated producer Mark Hallman, Underdog is "folk to the core," (Lexington Herald-Leader) delivering a rich collection of stories and clear-eyed diatribes, outlaw weddings, love songs, and an anti-Bush circus for good measure.
Since 1995, the folk and soul partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood has become well regarded for their engaging performances, passionate activism, stirring harmonies and award winning songs. With any subject being fair game, they have earned high honors from Kerrville (Political Songwriting Finalist 2003), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist Finalist 2002), Outmusic (double Winner 2003, Finalist 2004) to The South Florida Folk Festival (double Winner 2003).
Throughout the U.S and Canada, they have won over audiences and presenters alike performing in venues ranging from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and Club Passim in Cambridge, and at festivals including the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Clearwater Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Bully Circus
Wishing Chair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
© 2005 Kiya Heartwood
He starts to compose his face
the camera’s on he takes his place
reading from the teleprompter
his makeup’s very fine
he explains the mystery
politicians go to Yale
some MBA’s go to jail
all powerful and all wise
fast food soundbytes we despise
world as sold by CNN
Rupert Murdock is our friend
Let’s join the Bully Circus
3 rings so get in line
we’ll call it patriotism
that bit gets them every time
Let’s join the Bully Circus
the United States of Greed
forget the Constitution
super sized Democracy
Now if you can’t make ends meet
they’ll help you get back on your feet
when you find your prospects hard
you can join the National Guard
if you need the college plan
game boy tanks in Afghanistan
all the dead they’ll never show
that might keep enlistment low
CH
Domination
subjugation
that’s no way to run a nation
domination
subjugation
that’s the master plan
as long as Liberty holds a light
we have got to stand up for our rights
Now America can be cruel
ask the Cheyenne or the Sioux
if they don’t like what you say
they’ll lock your terrorist ass away
CH
In "Bully Circus," Wishing Chair criticizes the United States and its government for its greed, abuse of power, and militarism. The song starts by describing a politician (presumably the President) getting ready to appear on camera, reading from a teleprompter, and manipulating their appearance to sell a message. The verse specifically mentions the justification of war through the use of artillery, suggesting that the government uses violence to achieve peace, a notion the band questions. The song then goes on to describe how the political elite (i.e., those who go to Yale or become corporate M.B.A.s) often seem to avoid jail, despite their corrupt practices. Meanwhile, the public is subject to mindless "fast food soundbytes" delivered through the media, which perpetuate the government's interests.
The chorus of the song, "Let’s join the Bully Circus," is a call for Americans, and by extension, the entire world, to get in line with American imperialism. The circus imagery highlights the spectacle of war, the charade of patriotism, and the government's performance for its citizens. The song even references "super sized Democracy," which is a metaphor for the country's obsession with excessive capitalism and the notion that those who have the most wealth have the most say. Additionally, the band critiques the military enlistment of young people who are struggling financially and may not be able to afford higher education or job opportunities, which perpetuates the endless cycle of war. The end of the song asks the listener to stand up for their rights and fight back against the government's subjugation of its people.
Line by Line Meaning
He starts to compose his face
He puts on a false expression
the camera’s on he takes his place
He is ready to perform for the people watching
reading from the teleprompter
He is not speaking from the heart
his makeup’s very fine
His facade is carefully put together
he explains the mystery
He tells lies to cover the truth
of peace won by artillery
Suggesting that peace can be achieved through violence
politicians go to Yale
Political and economic power is tied to the rich and elite
some MBA’s go to jail
Those who don't conform to the rules of the system are punished
all powerful and all wise
The people in charge are assumed to be infallible
fast food soundbytes we despise
The media and those in power manipulate us with simplistic messaging
world as sold by CNN
The media portrays a narrow and biased view of the world
Rupert Murdock is our friend
Rich and powerful media elites are working together for their own benefit
Let’s join the Bully Circus
Become part of the power structure
3 rings so get in line
Three levels of power and control
we’ll call it patriotism
We'll justify it with the concept of love for our country
that bit gets them every time
The masses are easily swayed by nationalistic rhetoric
the United States of Greed
The country is driven by capitalist interests
forget the Constitution
The written rules and laws are ignored when they get in the way of those in power
super sized Democracy
The concept of democracy is idealized but not put into practice
Now if you can’t make ends meet
If you are struggling financially
they’ll help you get back on your feet
The government will offer assistance, but often with strings attached
when you find your prospects hard
If your situation is difficult
you can join the National Guard
One option to address challenges is to enter the military
if you need the college plan
If you want to pursue higher education
game boy tanks in Afghanistan
You can participate in violent military operations to pay for school
all the dead they’ll never show
The cost in human lives is hidden and ignored
that might keep enlistment low
If the reality of the harm caused by war was fully known, fewer people might join the military
Domination
Control over others
subjugation
Forcing others to obey and submit
that’s no way to run a nation
This approach is not ethical or sustainable
the master plan
The plan of those in power
as long as Liberty holds a light
As long as the idea of freedom is still valued
we have got to stand up for our rights
It is important to resist those who would take away our freedom
Now America can be cruel
The United States can be oppressive and harmful
ask the Cheyenne or the Sioux
Indigenous peoples have been oppressed and harmed by the US
if they don’t like what you say
If you criticize the government or powerful interests
they’ll lock your terrorist ass away
You can be labeled as a terrorist and punished for speaking out
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don.
The song was recorded ny Martin Cathy in 1976