Improved Clinch

Vacation Safety Tips

Here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there is a small community radio station, WYCE. At 7000 watts, WYCE’s airwave muscle is more akin to the 100 pound weakling who gets sand kicked in his face at the beach than a Charles Atlas, but they do play an eclectic mix of music, which I enjoy, and you can listen online through the link provided. I’ve heard many bands on this station that I did not even know existed, and others that I still wish I didn’t know existed. The best thing about this radio station, is that it receives all of its operating funds from individuals. Not one penny from the government, in any way, shape or form. And though some the programmers at WYCE lean a bit far to the left for my tastes, I still listen.

Anyway, Saturday night, driving back to the house I heard a tune by Cheryl Wheeler titled "Don’t Forget the Guns." I loved it. The tune made me laugh and, I thought the lyrics positively portrayed individuals taking responsibility for their own safety. So, I Googled up the tune so I could post the lyrics. When I found what I was looking for, I read that Wheeler supposedly penned the song as a “sarcastic protest” against gun ownership. I’d say if that is the actual case, she missed wide.

"Now let’s get the kids and pack up the car
Take that vacation we’ve been waiting for
Drive across this country leave our worries far behind
Singin’ four-part harmony to “sweet adeline”

`Cause I got these books and maps from triple “A”
We’ll visit friends and sites along the way
So bring the bikes and toys and diapers
Pay the neighbor’s son
And call to stop the mail and, honey,
Don’t forget the guns

(Chorus)
Now don’t forget the guns you know exactly what I mean
Bring the pistols, bring the uzi and the old AR-15
We don’t look for trouble but by golly if we’re in it
It’s nice to know we’re free to blow nine hundred rounds a minute

We’ll head for Chicago, stop for the night
Hope for good weather hope the kids don’t fight
They’ve never seen mt. Rushmore and they ought to understand
The kind of men who forged our freedom all across this land

We’ll hike up a trail and ride down a street
Stand by Old Faithful and watch her blow off steam
When we pack picnic lunches that’s not all we’ll bring along
`Cause we’ll be packing 45’s case anything goes wrong

(Repeat Chorus)

Oh riding along we’ll follow the sights
Over the mountains under the pines
Up to boot hill where they got what they gave
In the land of the free you’ve got to be brave"

(Repeat Chorus)

2/11/89

(P) August 17, 1997
Penrod And Higgins Music / Amachrist Music ACF Music Group International Copyright Reserved

Posted by on 03/29 at 07:14 AM