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Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander (Seafarer Press)
Disenfranchised (SATB)
A freewheeling, satirical look at the age-old “game” of disenfranchisement.
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Disenfranchised
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Disenfranchised
SATB, piano
“Disenfranchised” calls out voter disenfranchisement for what it truly is: a power game with winners and losers, ever-changing rules, and an intent to exclude. A serious subject for sure, but you’ll find no scolds or lectures here! Instead, this rambunctious romp explores this insidious “game” with over-the-top humor, traipsing through ragtime, nursery songs, and patriotic chestnuts while exposing a less-than-attractive aspect of our democratic system.
Composer’s Notes
“Disenfranchised” was a terrifically exciting commission for me. After taking a deep dive into America’s 200+ year history of denying and marginalizing citizens’ votes, I realized how often the democratic process had been warped into nothing more than a power game. It had been played in every decade of this country’s history, in every state, and by all major political parties. That revelation became the hook of what turned into a silly, satirical, and deceptively serious song: “We’re playing Disenfranchised, a game that’s stood the test of time.”
Text
There’s a little game round here,
We play it once or twice a year.
Each and every citizen can play.
We set up all kinds of polling places,
Full of friendly, helpful faces
beckoning us out to Voting Day.
Come one! Come all!
It’s the highlight of the fall!
We’re so lucky to be livin’ in the USA!
There’s just one tiny clause:
Keep one eye on the dealer ’cause
One hand giveth while the other hand taketh away.
We’re playing Disenfranchised!
A game that’s stood the test of time.
It’s not all that complicated,
Just don’t get eliminated,
It’s a classic paradigm.
Di-di-di-di-di-disenfranchised!
This is the way it’s always been.
Ever since the tabulated
Votes were all from educated,
White, landowning men,
We’ve been playing Disenfranchised.
Come one! Come all!
Make sure you don’t drop the ball!
It’s democracy so everybody gets a say.
Although a rule or two
Could be a stumbling block for you,
Rest assured that everybody who wants to can play.
We’re playing Disenfranchised!
A game that’s stood the test of time.
It’s not all that complicated,
Just don’t get eliminated,
It’s a classic paradigm.
Di-di-di-di-di-disenfranchised!
This is the way it’s always been.
Ever since the tabulated
Votes were all from educated,
White, landowning men.
The rules are simple. The rules are fun.
They are the same for everyone.
Are you ready? It won’t take long.
To help you out we wrote this song:
Don’t be homeless, on parole,
Need translation at the poll,
Need time off or need a ride,
Need a helper by your side,
Need to vote a different day,
Find your poll’s too far away,
Or skip a Voting Day or two,
Or not have your ID with you.
Don’t be purged or relocated,
Formerly incarcerated,
Live upon a reservation,
Not have prior registration,
Plus some other rules we’re still debating.
It can be a tad frustrating…
But once you’ve cast your vote, my friend,
You’ll know there’s nothing grander.
No longer will you be a mere bystander.
Until you stop and take a little gander,
And find that you are in a gerrymander!
And now you’re Disenfranchised!
Just look at how those lines are drawn.
(Leapin’ Lizards!)
You had thought the game was finished,
But your vote has been diminished
By the upper echelon.
Di-di-di-di-di-disenfranchised!
You’re little more than just a pawn.
And you somehow missed the notice
That the status of your vote is
Going, going, going, going, gone –
You’re disenfranchised!
© 2024 by Elizabeth Alexander
$3.00 per licensed PDF
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