You ever fell deep into the thought of what you would say if everybody had to listen but couldn’t be mad at you by what you said? I have. Good lord, it’s the best fantasy I have. In it, I’m blowin' the cover, I’m shooting from the hip. People are staring at me in disbelief. Jaws are down so far I can see cavities. Cavities from all those years of swallowing sugar coated crap! Here ya go kids, have some fluoride!

Where is Dorothy Freaking Parker when I need her? Erin Brockovitch my ass. Talk to Ms. Parker! She’ll rip through the bull like it was a wet Kleenex. Gimmie one good reason why I should be silent, St. Timothy. “I suffer not a woman to teach...” Really? Well, that’s nice of you. Tell ya what. I suffer not a man to speak. How’s that? You shut the hell up. That can be your place in society. Hunt, protect, build me a mansion, but don’t talk. Ya know, I wouldn’t want to burden you too much.

Blink once in a while son, you’re startin’ to scare me.

This is a little rap for all the people who don’t think they need it.

yesterday I filled my day with what was on your mind
i swerved right by the truth because you didn’t have the time
i endured every hour like i enjoyed the pain
i think i should tell you i’m not doing that again

do you remember when you said that Indians are drunks
that Buddhist don’t know god and autistic kids are dumb
or what about that theory that AIDS is not your problem
when was the last time you went out and bought a pack of condoms?

i’m tired of being patient, waiting for you to “grow up”
i’ve got two words baby, are you ready? SHUT UP!
Listen, look and learn SHUT UP!
This might sting & burn. SHUT UP!
You make me tired, so SHUT UP!
You’re just a liar. SHUT UP!
SHUT UP!!

you say you don’t mind gays, that some of them are nice
like who is good or bad is your job to decide
yeah i bet you’ve got “some black friends” that you never hang around
just ‘cause they don’t ask you out or live on your side of town

the right words are said and you’re correct politically
but that don’t mean a damn thing to those who think like me
what if i had pink hair and was pierced from end to end
would you take the time to know me, would we, right now be friends?

well, i’m tired of being patient, waiting for you to “grow up”
i’ve got two words baby, are you ready? SHUT UP!
listen, look and learn SHUT UP!
this might sting & burn. SHUT UP!
you make me tired, so SHUT UP!
you’re just a liar. SHUT UP!
SHUT UP!!

i hear you saying you mean well, that your heart is right
well, what would Jesus do if he if he heard your crap tonight?
you say “nobody is perfect”, no shit, how can we be?
when you’re makin’ up the rules and you change them daily?

it takes work to change a nation it takes thought to find a cure
i know what it’s like to be ugly, i remember being poor
if you continue treating people like they’re not worth your time
you’re hurting me too, and you’re no friend of mine

i’m tired of being patient, waiting for you to “grow up”
i’ve got two words baby, are you ready? SHUT UP!
listen, look and learn SHUT UP!
this might sting & burn. SHUT UP!
you make me tired, so SHUT UP!
you’re just a liar. SHUT UP!
SHUT UP!!

penny rené
© 2000