Not Me!
Back when I was just a kid / No matter what you did
If you screwed up you stepped forward and you took the blame
No matter where the chips would fall / You'd stand up tall
And bravely raise your hand and say your name
Oh you took your lumps / You weathered all the bumps
And you paid whatever price there was to pay
Were these lessons all for naught / Because these days if you get caught
Without a hint of shame here's what you say:
Chorus:
Not me, Not me!
It's somebody else's fault can't you see?
In the present atmosphere
It's absolutely clear
That the buck stops miles from here
If you want to know the score / Before you get into a war
And we're asked to risk our money and our youth
Before we mount that task / It seems reasonable to ask
If your info is conclusive / Or at least the truth
And when your reasons all go bust / And you violate our trust
We know we've all been down that road before
No hint of shame upon your face / Contrition not a trace
No you'll never hear "I'm sorry" any more
Chorus
If you lie or if you cheat / Better not admit defeat
Though you're caught with your fingers in the jar
It will only show you're weak / If you're penitent or meek
And those virtues just won't get you very far
'Cause in this world today / atonement is passe
And everything I've seen in life confirms
Cross your fingers, turn your back / Let some sucker take the flack
'Cause honesty is just a can of worms
Chorus
If you're poor and on the dole / Learn a little self-control
And understand you are the reason for your fate
Knuckle down, you lazy slob / Quit complaining, get a job
And girls get married, but only if you're straight
But if you help to lead the nation / Or you run a corporation
You are governed by a different set of rules
Just deny and obfuscate / Deflect and fabricate
'Cause responsibility is just for fools
Chorus
If you want to settle torts / on the nation's highest court
And be seated there with honor and respect
Better be a sober judge / Don't lie, don't fudge
Or you might get something more than you expect
But if you tend to blackouts / and unconsenting makeouts
You may find your worser days are on full view
No matter who's the Pres / Or what the Senate says
You're just another perp uncovered by #MeToo!
Final Chorus:
Not me, Not me!
It's somebody else's fault can't you see
Stomp your foot and tear your hair
Ask me if I care
'Cause the buck stops nowhere.
(Final verse written by Charles Roth,
October 2 2018. Released into the public domain - anyone may do anything with it.
P.S. "You're just" is pronounced as one syllable.)