sonofsaf: April 2020

Friday, April 10, 2020

What a Horrible World

A few months ago, I wrote a bunch of parody songs. My objective was to take some of the most beloved songs and turn them totally upside down, inside out. I changed the lyrics into themes about hatred, murder, war, etc. As you'll quickly see, the lyrics are explicitly vindictive. Pure venom on steroids. All of them are written in the same vein as Weird Al Yankovic, minus the predictable silliness.

I'm not even remotely concerned about intellectual property rights. Because, to be perfectly blunt, nobody in their write mind would ever right such loathsome material. However, I do think this particular musical niche has merit. I just haven't figured out the presentation/performance aspect.

Included is the link to the karoake video and the sonofsaf-styled parody.

Louis Armstrong:

What a Wonderful World (karaoke version)

I've seen trees of green, red roses too
I seen 'em bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I've seen skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What are wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I've seen friends shaking hands
Sayin' How do you do?
They're really sayin' "I love you"
I hear babies cryin'
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Ohh, yeahhh

What a Horrible World (Sonofsaf)

I’ve seen men so mean, dead bodies too
I seen ‘em killed, for me and you
And you see for yourself
What a horrible world

I’ve seen graves of death, there is no light
The hell that we pay
The wars that we fight
And you see for yourself
What a horrible world

The crosses on the tombstones, we ask each other why
All the other races, of soldiers who will die
I’ve seen bombs shaking lands
Prayin’ hell is for you
They’re really sayin’ “I hate you”
I see armies dyin’
It’s all for show
They’ll never learn, we reap what we sow

And you see for yourself
What a horrible world
Yes, you see for yourself
What a horrible world
Ohh, nooo

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Bow Down, Kneel at my Feet

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Song of the Slaves

A few months ago, I wrote a bunch of parody songs. My objective was to take some of the most beloved "songs of South" and turn them totally upside down, inside out. I changed the lyrics into themes about slavery, bigotry, oppression, rape, torture, murder, etc. As you'll quickly see, the lyrics are explicitly vindictive. Pure venom on steroids. All of them are written in the same vein as Weird Al Yankovic, minus the predictable silliness.

I'm not even remotely concerned about intellectual property rights. Because, to be perfectly blunt, nobody in their write mind would ever right such loathsome material. However, I do think this particular musical niche has merit. I just haven't figured out the presentation/performance aspect.

Included are the links to the original video, karaoke knock-off, and of course, the sonofsaf-styled parody.

Alabama:

Song of the South (official video)
Song of the South (karaoke version)

Song of the South

Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again

Cotton on the roadside, cotton in the ditch
We all picked the cotton but we never got rich
Daddy was a veteran, a southern democrat
They oughta get a rich man to vote like that
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again

Well somebody told us Wall Street fell
But we were so poor that we couldn't tell
Cotton was short and the weeds were tall
But Mr. Roosevelt's a gonna save us all
Well momma got sick and daddy got down
The county got the farm and they moved to town
Pappa got a job with the TVA
He bought a washing machine and then a Chevrolet

Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again
Play it
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again
Gone, gone with the wind
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Sing it
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again
Song, song of the south
Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth
Gone, gone with the wind
There ain't nobody looking back again

Song of the Slaves (Sonofsaf)

Song, song of the slaves
Sing amazing grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody care when they raped my wife

Whippin’ in the morning, whippin’ in the night
We all got the whip, in the dark and the light
Massah was a cruel man, a racist piece of shit
He’d hack up a cough, in my face he’d spit
Bring it
Song, song of the slaves
Sing amazing grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody care when they raped my wife

Time to go to church, when you hear that bell
We can’t read or write, so the words don’t sell
Union will rise, and the South will fall
Mister Lincoln says so, and he’s so tall
Well my daughter got slapped and my son beat down
All because the color of their skin was brown
Wanna be free here in the USA
Hell but they don’t give a damn about the things you say

Bring it
Song, song of the slaves
Sing Amazing Grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody care when they raped my wife
Say it
Bring it
Song, song of the slaves
Sing amazing grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody care when they raped my wife
Gone, gone is my life
Song, song of the slaves
Sing Amazing Grace, gonna make no waves
Song, song of the slaves
Sing Amazing Grace, gonna make no waves
Bring it
Song, song of the slaves
Sing Amazing Grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody cared when they raped my wife
Song, song of the slaves
Sing Amazing Grace, gonna make no waves
Gone, gone is my life
Ain’t nobody cared when they raped my wife

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Freedom Rock

A few months ago, I wrote a bunch of parody songs. My objective was to take some of the most beloved "songs of South" and turn them totally upside down, inside out. I changed the lyrics into themes about slavery, bigotry, oppression, rape, torture, murder, etc. As you'll quickly see, the lyrics are explicitly vindictive. Pure venom on steroids. All of them are written in the same vein as Weird Al Yankovic, minus the predictable silliness.

I'm not even remotely concerned about intellectual property rights. Because, to be perfectly blunt, nobody in their write mind would ever right such loathsome material. However, I do think this particular musical niche has merit. I just haven't figured out the presentation/performance aspect.

Included is the link to the original video, karaoke knock-off and the sonofsaf-inspired parody.

Rocky Top (original video)
Rocky Top (karaoke version)

Osbourne Brothers:

Rocky Top

Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

I've had years of cramped-up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

Freedom Rock (Sonofsaf version)

Wish that I could buy my freedom rock
Life or death, liberty sells
Ain’t no justice served on freedom rock
Ain’t no ringin’ those bells
Once I tried to earn my freedom rock
Half work, (the) other half cash
collar round my neck, but chain it didn’t lock
Ran a hundred yard dash
Freedom rock, I guess we’ll see
Live and let me be
Got no freedom rock
Freedom rock, liberty
Freedom rock, liberty

Once two slavers bought my freedom rock
Stuck me on steamboat ship
Money was paid, they stole my freedom rock
All I got was the whip
Born so brown don’t work on freedom rock
Skin’s too colored so dark
That’s why all the whites on freedom rock
Bite is worse than their bark
Freedom rock, I guess we’ll see
Live and leave me be
Got no freedom rock
Freedom rock liberty
Freedom rock liberty

I’ve spent years of chained up country life
Jailed like a crook in a cage
All I know it’s worse than city strife
Pent up anger and rage
Freedom rock, I guess we’ll see
Life and Death for me (Live and Let Die for me)
Got no freedom rock
Freedom rock, liberty
Freedom rock, liberty
Freedom rock, liberty

Monday, April 06, 2020

100 Letter Mark

On January 1, 2020, I embarked on a letter writing campaign via the U.S. postal service. The objective was to send substantive, unique correspondence to 365 individuals. One letter per day for the entire year. Keep in mind, back when I started, I had no idea the Coronavirus would sweep the planet and result in a worldwide pandemic. So it’s been an especially interesting time to launch such a project. As social distancing and self-isolation becomes the new norm. Not to mention the perceived level of hysteria and paranoia. Hey, far be it from me, to promote a climate of fear and terror. Yeah, right!

March 6, 2020 was my 100th letter (Amanda P.). All correspondence is 2-3 pages along with a cover letter. I’ve made a significant effort to “mix it up,” i.e, sending letters to a wide variety of individuals. Immediate family, close friends, people I barely know, even a person I’ve never met. People I haven’t seen since grade school, teachers, fellow coworkers from the past, and so on . All of them either occupy a space in my head or a place in my heart. But not necessarily.

I used the fastpeoplesearch.com website to find everyone's address. It does a pretty accurate job. And it doesn’t pester you with those annoying advertisements, pop-up ads and criminal reports. Only 3 letters so far have been marked undeliverable and returned to sender (me). Not bad.

About 25 letters in, I began to realize a few things. So I made a top 10 list that pretty much covers all of my technical observations.

1 — Around letter #40, I decided to start labeling the outside of each envelope with its corresponding daily number. Letter #44, Letter #76, etc. However, it dawned on me that recipients might get the impression that this was some twisted attempt at a popularity contest. NOT EVEN REMOTELY TRUE. I chose every individual entirely at random. I tried to go with a male, female, male, female progression. But then realized it was easier to just go with “clusters” of people, as the trajectory of life often introduces you to certain groups at certain times.

2 — The only social media format I personally use is facebook. I’m not on twitter, instagunt, snapshit, whatever. Still, I’ve made a genuine effort to avoid using facebook as a barometer for determining my recipients. After all, the specificity of my facebook friends is more of a “tangential” representation. I mean, I know pretty much all of them. But with some people, I haven’t necessarily felt a memorable impact. This isn’t a smear. It’s simply the truth.

3 — I stopped using the generic U.S. flag stamps. Fret not! I don’t hate Old Glory. It’s simply because the act of flag waving really irks me during the reign of Trump. So after I ran out of flag stamps, I went to the post office and purchased some that were a little more colorful. Regrettably, I let the post office employee decide which kind of stamps as I didn’t really give a shit. And she gave me all these disconnected themes — Hot Wheels, Disney villains, military guard dogs, county fairs, and so on. So long story short, the next time I stock up on stamps, I’ll take a minute and try to find some, that are, at the very least, a bit more “relevant”… as opposed to a philatelist series attributed to the origins of pancakes and maple syrup. Note: I find carb heavy, sugar laden breakfasts increasingly unacceptable.

4 — Out of nowhere, it dawned on me that I might be sending a letter to someone who doesn’t identify as male or female, maybe someone who has transitioned or considers themselves gender fluid. After all, I haven’t seen some of these people in like 40 years. I particularly enjoy reaching out (figuratively) to people from “way back when,” as the letters are often easier to write. The shared experiences are usually very specific, less emotional perhaps, but still etched in my memory. Hope that makes sense.

5 — The content of every letter is designed to be freely shared with anyone’s respective spouse. But I had to be realistic. Some of my past friends and acquaintances are just simply not well-suited for this type of endeavor. Whether it be jealousy, contempt, old grudges, whatever… Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s them. Maybe it’s their significant other. Maybe I know they secretly hate my guts. Like I said, whatever. Trust me, this ain’t some attempt to start World War III. Although, believe me, I could see why some people might view it as such. I messaged a couple of female friends for their current address and they went “silent.” Obviously, they probably thought I was gunning for a good ol’ fashioned social media stalking. Please believe me when I say, I am NOT a creeper. Although, I’ll freely admit to being a creep, and even a little creepy from time to time.

6 — Responses and reactions have been admittedly few and far between. But that’s totally okay. The small number of people that did reach out has made the entire project well worth the effort. I didn’t do this with the intention of being bombarded with compliments and adoration. Truth be told, I think it would make me feel uncomfortable. Trust me, this is NOT a clandestine effort to become the most popular person of all-time. Although I imagine some would certainly think that. Please know, I’m just trying something a little different.

7 — A month in, I realized that some people don’t even check their mail. My wife was on the phone with a dear friend of ours and I asked, “What did she think of the letter I sent her?” She didn’t have a clue as to what the hell I was talking about. And they had to dig through all their “junk mail.” Some of the younger population simply doesn’t connect with the U.S. Postal Service. Understandable in these days of electronic billing, endless donation requests and misc. unsolicited crap.

8 — The general consensus is that about 1% of the adult population is functionally illiterate. So it’s a virtual certainty that I’ll send a letter to someone who cannot read or has difficulty deciphering the content. My sincerest apologies. My only recourse would be to deliberately avoid mailing said letter, which in my mind, is unacceptable.

9 — If you're too afraid to open a sealed letter during the current state of affairs, you have my deepest sympathies. May I suggest some Trumpian Oval Office psycho-therapy? Doesn't that piece of shit dumbshit brag about the incredible, beautiful, oversized letters he receives from third world dictators with comparably moronic haircuts?

10 --- I’ll do another update/blog entry at the 200 and 300 letter mark. And then, assuming the world hasn’t imploded, ring in the New Year with a 2021 observational finale. 🎉

SAF

Sunday, April 05, 2020

Slave State Panorama

A few months ago, I wrote a bunch of parody songs. My objective was to take some of the most beloved "songs of South" and turn them totally upside down, inside out. I changed the lyrics into themes about slavery, bigotry, oppression, rape, torture, murder, etc. As you'll quickly see, the lyrics are explicitly vindictive. Pure venom on steroids. All of them are written in the same vein as Weird Al Yankovic, minus the predictable silliness.

I'm not even remotely concerned about intellectual property rights. Because, to be perfectly blunt, nobody in their write mind would ever right such loathsome material. However, I do think this particular musical niche has merit. I just haven't figured out the presentation/performance aspect.

Included is the link to the original video, karaoke version and the sonofsaf-inspired parody.

Sweet Home Alabama (original video)
Sweet Home Alabama (karaoke version)

Lynyrd Skynyrd:

Sweet Home Alabama

Turn it up

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the south-land
I miss 'ole' 'bamy once again
And I think it's a sin, yes

Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard old Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the Gov'nor, boo hoo ooo
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you, here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how bout you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama, oh sweet home
Where the skies are so blue and the Governor's true
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you, yeah yeh

Slave State Panorama (Sonofsaf)

What the fuck

Down south weather burning
Straight outta town of Birmingham
Dreaming dreams about the ocean
That middle passage once again
Back where it all begins

Well, there's an amendment number thirteen
Well, the meek will inherit the earth
Well, I hope the U.S. will remember
Us Southern states don’t need the North, for what it’s worth

Slave state panorama
Where the skin bleeds so red
Slave state panorama
Lord, I’m wishing you were dead

In Birmingham they hate the coloreds, Yoo-Hoo Hoo
And we all lynch them like we do
Slave rebellions do not worry me
We will kill 'em and then kill you
How do you do

Slave state panorama
Where the skin bleeds so red
Slave state panorama
Lord, I’m wishing you were dead. Here I come Alabama

Now northern states they is all bonkers
And they’ve been known to free a black or two
Lord, we ain’t so out of touch
We kill for sport it’s just what we do
How do you do

Slave state panorama
Where the skin bleeds so red
Slave state panorama
Lord, I’m wishing you were dead

Slave state panorama, oh slave state
Where the skin bleeds so red... and the niggers are bred
Slave state panorama
Lord, I’m wishing you were dead, yeah, yeah

Saturday, April 04, 2020

Take Me Back, Colored Shacks

Friday, April 03, 2020

Lynching in the Park

A few months ago, I wrote a bunch of parody songs. My objective was to take some of the most beloved "songs of South" and turn them totally upside down, inside out. I changed the lyrics into themes about slavery, bigotry, oppression, rape, torture, murder, etc. As you'll quickly see, the lyrics are explicitly vindictive. Pure venom on steroids. All of them are written in the same vein as Weird Al Yankovic, minus the predictable silliness.

I'm not even remotely concerned about intellectual property rights. Because, to be perfectly blunt, nobody in their write mind would ever right such loathsome material. However, I do think this particular musical niche has merit. I just haven't figured out the presentation/performance aspect.

Included are the links to the original video, karaoke knock-off, and of course, the sonofsaf-styled parody.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band:

Fishin' in the Dark (video)
Fishin' in the Dark (karaoke)

Lazy yellow moon comin' up tonight
Shin-in' through the trees
Crickets are singin' and lightning bugs
Are floatin' on the breeze
Baby get ready
Across the field where the creek turns back
By the old stump road
I'm gonna take you to a special place
That nobody knows
Baby get ready, ooh

You and me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night
Just movin' slow
Stayin' the whole night through
Feels so good to be with you

Spring is almost over and the summer's come
And the days are gettin' long
Waited all winter for the time to be right
Just to take you along, baby get ready
And it don't matter if we sit forever
And the fish don't bite
Jump in the river and cool ourselves
From the heat of the night
Baby get ready, ooh

You and me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night
Just movin' slow
Stayin' the whole night through
Feels so good to be with you

You and me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night
Just movin' slow

You and me going fishing in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We'll be fallin' in love in the middle of the night
Just movin' slow

Sonofsaf:

Lynchin' in the Park

Lazy nigger coon keep me up all night
Wantin' to be free
Cotton and pickin' and singin' those songs
Plantation property
Hold the rope steady
Eat your last meal and say your last prayers
To the lord our god
I'm gonna send you to the pearly gates
Just a tyin' that knot
Hold the rope steady (gasping noise)

You and me go lynchin' in the park
Dyin' from their necks and sortin' out the scars
Where the hot sweat glows
People gather round in the broad day light
Celebratin' with a picnic cuz the time is right
It's all for show (fo sho)
Hangins the whole day through
Hoist that rope for killing you

Time is always tickin' and the work's non stop
And the crops are growin' strong
Prickin' those fingers as the cotton's so white
Til the blood is drawn, hold the rope steady
Your life don’t matter cuz you're not forever
When it's time to die
Choke on a tree branch and limb yourself
Struggle with all your might
Hold the rope steady, (gasping noise)

You and me go lynchin' in the park
Dyin' from their necks and sortin' out the scars
Where the hot sweat glows
People gather round in the broad day light
Celebratin' with a picnic cuz the time is right
It's all for show (just for the show)
Hangins the whole day through
Hoist that rope for killing you

You and me go lynchin' in the dark
Dyin' from their necks and sortin' out the scars
Where the hot sweat glows
People gather round in the broad day light
Celebratin' with a picnic cuz the time is right
It's all for show (fo sho)

You and me go lynchin' in the park
Dyin' from their necks and sortin' out the scars
Where the hot sweat glows
People gather round in the broad day light
Celebratin' with a picnic cuz the time is right
It's all for show (fo sho)

sonofsaf