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Song Parodies -> "The Census Meddler (from ACORN)"
Original Song Title:
"The Old Dope Peddler"
Original Performer:
Tom Lehrer
Parody Song Title:
"The Census Meddler (from ACORN)"
Parody Written by:
Barry J. Mitchel
The Lyrics
Now that the 2010 US census is under control of the White House, and many canvassers will come from the infamous Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, the questionnaire may have many new inquiries beyond those required previously. Here is my advice to avoid answering them.
When the census guy comes calling,
It's a fellow nobody knows.
It's the Census meddler,
So adroit at poking his nose.
Like a thief, he soon will find all
About your neighborhood.
It's the ACORN meddler;
Do not tell him more than you should.
On privacy he tramples,
Because he knows fools tell.
Many ways tongues can reveal traces
Of detailed lore on those who dwell.
He is sure to give you troubles,
And offend you through distress.
It's the Change/Hope meddler,
Who has vowed to make you confess.
It's a fellow nobody knows.
It's the Census meddler,
So adroit at poking his nose.
Like a thief, he soon will find all
About your neighborhood.
It's the ACORN meddler;
Do not tell him more than you should.
On privacy he tramples,
Because he knows fools tell.
Many ways tongues can reveal traces
Of detailed lore on those who dwell.
He is sure to give you troubles,
And offend you through distress.
It's the Change/Hope meddler,
Who has vowed to make you confess.
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Voting Results
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Voting Breakdown
The following represent how many people voted for each category.
| Pacing | How Funny | Overall Rating | |||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
User Comments
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Great, Barry. Since we no longer have Tom Lehrer (and man, we really could use him these days!), keep the flame burning, my friend!
I agree with Dana wholeheartedly. As for when the census people come knocking on my door, I lock the doors and windows and draw the blinds, and I don't let them talk to me. I don't let the government get into every aspect of my life like that. 4-5-5 since the pacing was off a bit.
LOVE that Tom Lehrer!!!!
Great Parody.
More on the genius of Tom Lehrer, his "Masochism Tango" was my insperation for this:
http://www.amiright.com/parody/60s/franksinatra146.shtml
Great stuff - as the most prolific Lehrer parodist on this site (well, I was the last time I checked), I do like coming across other TL parodies. Never heard of ACORN (you Americans do love making an organization's name fit its acronym rather than its purpose, don't you?), but I can see what you're talking about.
All this talent AND a Tom Lehrer fan to boot! Simpy 5-5-5-tastic! :D
Tom Lehrer lives! Dana, I didn't know he'd passed -- or is he just retired? I have his "Remains" CD set, gift of a daughter.
Andrea, lines 8 and 16 may seem to have an extra syllable, but Tom sang "do-oing good" and "ha-appiness" that way.
Mark, I never thought Lehrer and Sinatra could be combined, but you did it!
Phil, I'm eager to see the prior 14 Lehrer parodies. From little acorns grow great oaks (meaning central government in this case).
In line 1, I'd change "census" to "clipboard".
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