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Song: Bird in a Barren Cage
self | March 6, 2005 | self

Posted on 03/06/2005 5:10:13 PM PST by supercat

VERSE 1:

Theresa Marie was a beautiful girl.
With a smile that could light up the room.
Her fate, alas, thanks to three evil men,
now seems to hold naught but doom.
Her husband, it seems, now wants her dead--
Wants to marry another wife.
Why can't he just see, Terri ought to be free.
She and he could get on with life.
CHORUS:
She's kept like a bird in a barren cage.
'Cos her husband keeps it bare.
No pictures, no music, no pets, no TV.
Her life is so lonely there.
But Terri is loved by her family
and by thousands from coast to coast.
Though_her life has been sold for corrupt men's gold
she refuses to give up the ghost.
VERSE 2:
The more one looks into this sad sad case,
the clearer the evil plot.
They're not trying to starve her because she's dying,
but rather because she's not.
Mike, Felos, and Greer are pushing this case
and fighting with all of their might
Not_because Terri won't speak up,
But rather because she might.
REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 3:

So what shall become of Michael's bird?
Will_he starve her as he intends?
Or will she be rescued by those far and wide,
who'd_be honored to be her friends?
The future right now, is hard to see.
Though_a showdown is coming nigh.
Will forces of life trump_the_old judge who says:
"The law of_the_case_is_that she must die"?
REPEAT CHORUS

Midi available here.

Lyrics copyright 2005 -- They may be freely distributed for the purpose of publicizing the Schiavo case, but recording rights are retained; free licenses will likely be granted for those supporting the Schindlers' case, but permission must be obtained first.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: schiavo; song; terri; terrischiavo
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To: AnAmericanMother
Substitute UNfaithful for adulterous. That won't sing - "unfaithful" will (gets rid of the extra beat too).

Perhaps, though the word is usually "unFAITHful". On the other hand, if I strike the "alas" from line 3 I could use "alas" in place of "it seems". Or perhaps "her CRUEL, faithless HUSband" could work.

Otherwise, do you have any recommendations for my other 'problem' lines:

the MORE one looks INto this SAD sad CASE,
mike, FELos, and GREER are PUSHing this CASE
NOT because TERri WON'T speak UP,
who'd be HONored to BE her FRIENDS
  [or who'd be HONored to be CALLED her FRIENDS]
will FORCes of LIFE trump the OLD judge who SAYS:

41 posted on 03/07/2005 3:55:03 PM PST by supercat (For Florida officials to be free of the Albatross, they should let it fly away.)
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To: supercat
Actually, von Tilzer's publishing office was the place where the term "Tin Pan Alley" originated (the original Alley was West 28th St. in NYC.) A writer for the old New York Herald coined the term in a news article around the turn of the century after he visited the office run by von Tilzer and his brother.

What I meant was the stereotypical "Tin Pan Alley" sound - a bad, tinny, very percussive piano. The typical songs associated with that era (which lasted well on into the 20th c., arguably to WWII) are bouncy - even von Tilzer's ("Wait til the Sun Shines, Nellie", "I Want a Girl Just Like the Girl Who Married Dear Old Dad," "I Love My Wife, But Oh You Kid.") "The Bird" is an exception - more of a legato, ballad style.

I'll get back to you after I ruminate on those lines for awhile -- I have a deadline at work this week and a dog to prepare for an agility trial . . . what I really need is about 48 hours per day and maybe I can get everything done . . .

42 posted on 03/07/2005 6:30:28 PM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: AnAmericanMother; Ohioan from Florida; GloriaJane; Halls
Latest revision: ping as needed.
VERSE 1:
Theresa Marie was a beautiful girl.
with a smile that could light up the room.
But now the plans of three evil men
are rushing her towards her doom.
Her cruel faithless husband now wants her dead--
Wants to marry another wife.
Why can't he just see, Terri ought to be free.
She and he could get on with life.

CHORUS:
She's kept like a bird in a barren cage.
'Cos her husband keeps it bare.
No pictures, no music, no pets, no TV.
Her life is so lonely there.
But Terri is loved by her family
and by thousands from coast to coast.
Though her life has been sold for corrupt men's gold
she refuses to give up the ghost.

VERSE 2:
The more one looks into this sordid case,
The clearer the evil plot.
They're not trying to starve her because she's dying,
but rather because she's not.
In this quest Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer
Are fighting with all their might
Not because Terri won't speak up,
But rather because she might.

REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 3:
So what shall become of Michael's bird?
Will he starve her as he intends?
Or will she be rescued by those far and wide,
who'd be honored to be called her friends?
The future right now, is hard to see.
Though a showdown is coming nigh.
Will the forces of life trump the judge who says:
"The law of the case is that she must die"?

REPEAT CHORUS
The MIDI file has been updated as well, including an 8-bar intro.
43 posted on 03/08/2005 6:45:42 AM PST by supercat (For Florida officials to be free of the Albatross, they should let it fly away.)
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To: supercat; 4Godsoloved..Hegave; 8mmMauser; a5478; Annie03; atruelady; Brad's Gramma; Cayenne; ...

Excellent teamwork!

Terri ping to 43! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!


44 posted on 03/08/2005 9:36:58 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: supercat

This is wonderful!


45 posted on 03/08/2005 9:39:26 PM PST by BykrBayb (5 minutes of prayer for Terri, every day at 11 am EDT, until she's safe. http://www.terrisfight.org)
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To: supercat

I really like it! Would you mind if I put it in an e-mail to my family? How would I credit you? Please FM with an answer, if you cannot post it publicly.


46 posted on 03/08/2005 9:40:34 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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To: supercat; AnAmericanMother
Just FANTASTIC! Hurry! HURRY! HURRY!!!

This needs mass exposure!

47 posted on 03/08/2005 9:41:38 PM PST by Republic (Will michael shiavo and his concubine and children now preside over the murder of Terri?)
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To: supercat

[with a lump in my throat & tears down my cheeks]...Bless you supercat


48 posted on 03/08/2005 9:58:54 PM PST by Chocolate Rose (FOR HONEST NEWS REPORTING GET THE SCOOP HERE : www.theEmpireJournal.com/)
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Post #43 bump!


49 posted on 03/08/2005 11:34:07 PM PST by windchime (Hillary: "I've always been a preying person")
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To: supercat
It's looking good!

more comments:

"Her cruel faithless husband now wants her dead,
To MARry anOTHer WIFE."

- short line, emphasis, very similar to "the fairest of all the sights" in the original.

"And they could get on with life."

"Sordid" is good. 'cause that's what it is.

I'd leave out "in this quest" - just name the names:
"Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer
Are fighting with all their might."

"They don't want to starve her because she's dying."

"NOT because TERri WON'T speak UP," This one is o.k. It works & it makes a good point.

Everything else looks fine to me.

Go for it!

50 posted on 03/09/2005 6:06:52 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: AnAmericanMother; windchime; Chocolate Rose; Republic; Ohioan from Florida; BykrBayb; Freepertwo; ..
The compliments I've received are much appreciated. I think I've got the lyrics finalized. A recorded version of the song is available at http://www.casperkitty.com/pol/bcage.wma. Spread the word!

I'd leave out "in this quest" - just name the names: "Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer Are fighting with all their might."

"it's CLEAR michael SCHAIvo, george FELos, and judge GREER..."

51 posted on 03/09/2005 6:36:58 AM PST by supercat (For Florida officials to be free of the Albatross, they should let it fly away.)
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To: AnAmericanMother
What I meant was the stereotypical "Tin Pan Alley" sound - a bad, tinny, very percussive piano.

I think transposing down a minor third and having the melody sung rather than 'plinked' out on a piano helps a lot. Have you heard the recorded version yet?

52 posted on 03/09/2005 4:21:56 PM PST by supercat (For Florida officials to be free of the Albatross, they should let it fly away.)
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To: supercat

I'd like to urge folks to try to get to Tallahassee for the rally on Sunday at 3:00 at the Capitol building if you can be there. Pray about it, and if the Lord leads you...come. They're hoping for hundreds...let's give them thousands. Are you out of state? Can you take a vacation day? Can you borrow from your savings for gas, a train ticket or plane ticket? It may be inconvenient, but it may be one of the best investments in the future of this country you've ever made. COME! If you can come...COME.


53 posted on 03/10/2005 3:10:36 AM PST by Freepertwo
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To: supercat
Final version:
VERSE 1:
Theresa Marie was a beautiful girl.
with a smile that could light up the room.
But now the plans of three evil men
are rushing her towards her doom.
Her cruel faithless husband now wants her dead--
Wants to marry another wife.
Why can't he just see, Terri ought to be free.
She and he could get on with life.

CHORUS:
She's kept like a bird in a barren cage.
'Cos her husband keeps it bare.
No pictures, no music, no pets, no TV.
Her life is so lonely there.
But Terri is loved by her family
and by thousands from coast to coast.
Though her life has been sold for corrupt men's gold
she refuses to give up the ghost.

VERSE 2:
The more one looks into this sordid case,
The clearer the evil plot.
They're not trying to starve her because she's dying,
but rather because she's not.
It's clear Michael Schiavo, George Felos, and Judge Greer
Are fighting with all their might
Not because Terri won't speak up,
But rather because she might.

REPEAT CHORUS

VERSE 3:
So what shall become of Michael's bird?
Will he starve her as he intends?
Or will she be rescued by those far and wide,
who'd be honored to be called her friends?
The future right now, is hard to see.
Though a showdown is coming nigh.
Will the forces of life trump the judge who says:
"The law of the case is that she must die"?

REPEAT CHORUS

Audio (sung) available here

54 posted on 03/10/2005 8:12:41 PM PST by supercat (For Florida officials to be free of the Albatross, they should let it fly away.)
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