[Verse 1]
Badge on my laptop
Juris doctor on the wall
Reading through these statutes
While they’re cutting midnight deals in marble halls
They swear an open meeting
Then lock the heavy doors
Trade our speech for campaign cheques
And sell our right to stand on public floors
[Chorus]
I’m writing up these ballot box blues
Official misconduct on the evening news
From the courthouse steps to the Capitol pews
Constitution crying
But they just change the rules
Yeah
I’m filing this report on you
(these ballot box blues)
[Verse 2]
They redraw the old maps crooked
Slice our voices paper-thin
Equal say on every corner
But they pick and choose the neighborhoods that get let in
Promises of due process
While folks wait years to plead their side
Presumed innocent on paper
Til the plea deal pushes hope aside
[Chorus]
I’m writing up these ballot box blues
Oath in one hand
Loopholes in twos
Equal protection got shoved from the pews
Constitution shouting
But they just change the rules
Yeah
I’m filing this report on you
(these ballot box blues)
[Bridge]
Right to assemble
They fence it in
Right to petition
Lost in the spin
One person
One vote
Buried in spin
Tell me
Who’s the law
When the law’s gone thin?
[Chorus]
I’m writing up these ballot box blues
Abuse of power in designer shoes
People in the street got nothing to lose
Constitution rising
We’re reclaiming the rules
My final recommendation’s you
We the people
We’re the ones to prosecute
[Outro]
Yeah
We the people
Are the court of last review (oh yeah)
And this verdict’s coming due
On these ballot box blues