Songs of Will T. Massey — “The Crooked Kind”

To set the scene for this song from 2008’s Wayward Lady, we were still deeply involved in Iraq 5 years after the invasion. No WMDs were ever found, and despite assurances we would be welcomed as “liberators,” our soldiers continued to face deadly attacks from Iraqis fighting against the American occupation.

Million Musician March, Austin, Texas

By 2008, Pres. Bush’s early “Mission Accomplished” boast rang hollow.

The situation had become a “quagmire” eerily similar to Vietnam decades earlier, complete with ongoing protests such as Austin’s annual Million Musician March.

Will felt compelled to speak out in the best way he could — through song.

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The news is bad, I’m feeling sad
About my nation’s mind.
My American girl looks out at the world
And feels so left behind.
‘Cause we make our choices and we raise our voices
But we’re only heard by God.
Our rich and elected aren’t respected
By our neighbors who live abroad.

The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.
He’ll tell you he’s your friend then rob you blind.
He doesn’t represent the people
His ways have left behind —
The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.

My baby don’t trust any government lust
For control of laws of the land.
She wants a revolution, our Constitution
Has fallen into the wrong hands.
And they’re filled with guns and gut anyone
Who questions their right to refuse
The liberties of the Land of the Free
Trampled by corporate shoes.

The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.
He’ll tell you he’s your friend then rob you blind.
He doesn’t represent the people
His ways have left behind —
The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.

We need a changing of the guard.
These are our lands.
They don’t belong to the nation’s leaders
With blood on their hands.
They’re governed by corporations
After money and control —
They want to monitor your every thought,
Your faith, your love, your soul.

I’ve got a true love from God above
And together, we’re making it grow.
Between her and me, peace is like a seed
All the people can share in and sow.
The respect at home can be kindly shown
Throughout the global community.
As we protect each other, we should warn our brothers
Within Earth’s family.

The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.
He’ll tell you he’s your friend then rob you blind.
He doesn’t represent the people
His ways have left behind —
The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.

The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.
He’ll tell you he’s your friend then rob you blind.
He doesn’t represent the people
His ways have left behind —
The policeman of the world’s the crooked kind.