dedicated to Victor Mercado,
Detroit Water Board Director

Oh what is he thinking
The water board chief
When he signs the papers
And makes like a thief

He steals people's water
And lets them run dry
In cold winter weather
These people might die

They're children and old folks
Disabled and ill
Who suffer the most
From this bureaucrat's will

We call on the city
To stop this abuse
And give all our people
Good water to use

The Water Board's treatment
Of folks who are poor
We see in an instant
Is undeclared war
 

THAT'S TOO BAD
(Tune: She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain)

If your children need warm water, that's too bad
If your children need warm water, that's too bad
They  insist your bills were unpaid
And won't hear the reasons you made
If your children need warm water, that's too bad.

If your grandma's feeling poorly, that's too bad
If your grandma's feeling poorly, that's too bad
In the coldest winter weather
All she has is a thin sweater
If your grandma's feeling poorly, that's too bad.

If your heater works with steam, that's too bad
If your heater works with steam, that's too bad
When they shut off all your water
No one asked or even bothered
If your heater works with steam, that's too bad.

Will you live to see the summer, do they care?
Will you live to see the summer, do they care?
Profits are their bottom line
Even if the folks are dying
Will you live to see the summer, do they care?

Can we turn this thing around, let us try
Can we turn this thing around, let us try
If we make a lot of noise
So the news picks up the story
Can we turn this thing around, let us try

Will the people get their water, yes they will!
Will the people get their water, yes they will!
We will not give up the fight
Because water is a right
Will the people get their water, yes they will!
 

WATER BOARD BLUES
(Tune: I've Been Working on the Railroad)

I've been working for low wages
All my doggone life
Trying to feed and clothe my family
With lots of sweat and  strife

Now they take away my water
And cement up the valves
How do they expect a parent
To protect their kids' lives

I've been going to the city
Asking for some aid
Trying to get a moratorium
Until my bills get paid

All I hear is "We can't help you;
The Water Board's the place
Go to them and do your begging
Our time you mustn't waste"

So here I am on this street corner
Marching with the rest
Trusting that if we're united
The city will say yes

How could they ignore our message
How could they sit back
We deserve to have clean water
So turn on all the taps!
 

SAINTS--Water Shut-off Protest
(Tune: When the Saints go Marching In)

When everyone has equal rights
When everyone has equal rights
Oh how I want to be in that number
When everyone has equal rights

Variations:

When water flows from every tap …

When every child gets what they need…

When people's homes are safe and warm…

When welfare grants meet basic needs…

When people's rights receive respect…
 

©2003 Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Please use with attribution.