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Ballad of Eola Park

from Everything Can Change by David Rovics

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When Keith McHenry and several other Food Not Bombs activists were jailed (again) for feeding hungry people at a park in Orlando, Florida, I was inspired to verse.

lyrics

In the land of Minnie Mouse and Mickey things are getting icky
Since the municipality
Of Orlando, Florida passed a moritaria
Against feeding hungry people in their city
The mayor said with a scoff we'd all be better off
Without these food terrorists lurking like a shark
So he did declare -- semaritans beware!
No more feeding hungry people in the park

And if you do you'd better raise your bail
'Cause you will be fined five hundred bucks and sent to jail

There are many things that you can do when you're passing through
That are much more acceptable than that
Go on amusement rides, eat things that are fried
Buy each one of your kids a little hat
You can stay in a hotel, pretend everything is swell
Go to Sea World and hear the seals bark
But whatever else you have in mind you will be in a bind
If you feed the hungry people in the park

Yes you can drink some wine, have yourself a good time
Have a good vacation, then retire
But if you want to stir up trouble, if you'd deign to pop the bubble
And try to feed the hungry people of the shire
In such a public place, we can't suffer such disgrace
Though the logic may seem a little stark
What would the neighbors say, where will the children play
If you keep feeding hungry people in the park

credits

from Everything Can Change, released May 18, 2013
Alejandro | electric guitar, upright bass
Jun | accordion, backup vocals

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David Rovics Portland, Oregon

Singer/songwriter, writer, podcaster (on Spotify, Substack & Patreon), anarchist, dad, lover of life.

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