Merle Haggard
The one and only rebel child
Of a family meek and mild
My Mama seemed to know what lay in store.
In spite of all my Sunday learning,
Towards the bad I kept on turning,
Til Mama couldn't hold me anymore.
And I turned 21 in prison
Doing LIFE without parole
No one could steer me right,
But Mama tried, Mama tried.
Mama tried to raise me better
But her pleadings I denied.
That leaves only me to blame,
Cause Mama tried.
------------------
"The Martyr" (excerpt)
There is sobbing of the strong,
And a pall upon the land;
But the People in their weeping
Bare the iron hand:
Beware the People weeping
When they bare the iron hand.
--Herman Melville (written after the assasination of President Abraham Lincoln)
[This message has been edited by Ronn_Bman (edited 10-20-2001).]