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Fifteen years ago, in an effort to get young people interested in constitutional history, the federal government reached out to several “hip” recording artists to compile an anthology of songs about the Bill of Rights.
The album was never released.
The album was never released.
Magnetic Fields on Amendment I
I should've held you years ago
When you were young and trembling;
I should've loved you, now I know,
But I was free assembling
Apologies, forgive me please
My awkward dispositioning;
I should've clung like leaves to trees
But I was out petitioning
I should've held you years ago
When you were young and trembling;
I should've loved you, now I know,
But I was free assembling
Apologies, forgive me please
My awkward dispositioning;
I should've clung like leaves to trees
But I was out petitioning
Dan Bern on Amendment II
I got bear arms
Big old bear arms
In winter they sleep for a long long time
And I say, Arms could you move this box
Or paint this portrait of Louis Quatorze?
They say, Sorry friend we’re hibernating
That’s what you get when you’ve got bear arms
I got bear arms
Big old bear arms
In winter they sleep for a long long time
And I say, Arms could you move this box
Or paint this portrait of Louis Quatorze?
They say, Sorry friend we’re hibernating
That’s what you get when you’ve got bear arms
Green Day on Amendment III
Excuse me, Mr. Soldier
I know it’s getting colder
On the street of spoiled promises
Your trauma says to roam
I wish that I could guide you
From the hatred they supplied you,
But in peace time you can’t quarter in my home
Excuse me, Mr. Soldier
I know it’s getting colder
On the street of spoiled promises
Your trauma says to roam
I wish that I could guide you
From the hatred they supplied you,
But in peace time you can’t quarter in my home
Iron and Wine on Amendment IV
Do you recall that year when winter kissed the earth,
The night you searched my house without a warrant?
Across the street a one-eyed cat was prowling for a meal
Near the old bent tree whose trunk wore our initials in a heart
Do you recall that year when winter kissed the earth,
The night you searched my house without a warrant?
Across the street a one-eyed cat was prowling for a meal
Near the old bent tree whose trunk wore our initials in a heart
Aimee Mann on Amendment V
I thought:
I’m caught
It’s worth a shot, I might as well
I tried
I lied
But then I cried and I told you all there was to tell
I wish I’d kept my mouth shut, wish I’d wrapped my head in gauze
I wish I’d thought to exercise the self-incrimination clause
I thought:
I’m caught
It’s worth a shot, I might as well
I tried
I lied
But then I cried and I told you all there was to tell
I wish I’d kept my mouth shut, wish I’d wrapped my head in gauze
I wish I’d thought to exercise the self-incrimination clause
The Postal Service on Amendment VI
I want a jury of my peers!
So can you find me twelve broken-hearted men?
And we’ll need a speedy trial!
To determine if I deserve to be loved again!
I want a jury of my peers!
So can you find me twelve broken-hearted men?
And we’ll need a speedy trial!
To determine if I deserve to be loved again!
Liz Phair on Amendment VII
And right when I’ve forgotten you, you call me just to say,
“The seventh amendment applies to civil cases.” Well, okay...
So I guess we’re being “civil.”
And right when I’ve forgotten you, you call me just to say,
“The seventh amendment applies to civil cases.” Well, okay...
So I guess we’re being “civil.”
Sufjan Stevens on Amendment VIII
Hosep Bajakajian
Stowed his luggage in the bin.
He lied about the value
of the content held within
He whispered “God forgive me.”
Feeling very tense.
“I pray that I’m not punished
with a fine grossly disproportional to the gravity of my offense.”
Hosep Bajakajian
Stowed his luggage in the bin.
He lied about the value
of the content held within
He whispered “God forgive me.”
Feeling very tense.
“I pray that I’m not punished
with a fine grossly disproportional to the gravity of my offense.”
Fountains of Wayne on Amendment IX
The amendments hang out after school
At 3’s above ground swimming pool
1 is fun and 5 is cool
But no one cares about the 9th!
Don’t mind me, I’m good, it’s great
Hanging back here between 10 and 8
I swear I’m doing fine
No one cares about 9!
The amendments hang out after school
At 3’s above ground swimming pool
1 is fun and 5 is cool
But no one cares about the 9th!
Don’t mind me, I’m good, it’s great
Hanging back here between 10 and 8
I swear I’m doing fine
No one cares about 9!
Rufus Wainwright on Amendment X
As I prattle on I can sense you losing interest
But I don’t even slow as you flag the waiter down
I’m the saddest sort of anti-federalist clown
Another ruined date night
Because I’m too obsessed with state’s rights
As I prattle on I can sense you losing interest
But I don’t even slow as you flag the waiter down
I’m the saddest sort of anti-federalist clown
Another ruined date night
Because I’m too obsessed with state’s rights
