God and The Orange Clown

from Declining With Thanks by Ian Robb and James Stephens

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9. God and The Orange Clown (Ian Robb)
Some might feel that this song is no longer relevant in the post-Trump years, but the ravages of climate change are ever present, and many of those who put the Orange Clown in power are still around, hypocrites all, with their warped and self-serving mutation of Christianity. So here it is again.

lyrics

When your forests turn to ash,
When your fields all turn to dust,
When your islands are awash,
How will you choose; who will you trust?
And when the mudslides hurtle down,
Who will you turn to for recourse?
When your greens all fade to brown,
Who will you blame; who will you curse?

And will you go to church to pray,
Leaving your children to atone.
This world you’ve left in disarray
Is not God’s work; it is your own.

When tornados wreck your town,
When the tempest scours your coast,
Will you still heed the orange clown,
Will you still cheer his every boast?
And when it’s time to make your choice,
Whose truth, whose lies will you believe?
Will you ignore the braying voice?
Will you refuse to be deceived?

Or will you go... etc

So good Christians all, awake
Fight the tide or surely drown!
For your blessed children’s sake
Drive away the orange clown
For when at last the seas run dry
And when rocks melt in the sun,
And when you can no more deny,
Then you’ll see what you have done.

Then will you go... etc.

credits

from Declining With Thanks, released November 1, 2021
Vocals and plucked fiddle: Jess Arrowsmith
Melodeon: Richard Arrowsmith

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about

Ian Robb Ottawa, Ontario

Self-described “singer and writer of old songs”, Ian Robb started out singing in English folk clubs in the 1960s, before emigrating to Canada in 1970. Since then, he has sung with Finest Kind, The Friends of Fiddler’s Green, Jiig, Arrowsmith:Robb Trio and most recently, with James Stephens. In 2005 he was awarded one of the first Canadian Folk Music Awards for “Best Singer: Traditional”. ... more

ianrobb.com

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