I wrote this 12 years ago in response to the disastrous election of G W Bush. We are still living, and people are still dying, as a consequence of that act of collective insanity by the American electorate.

It has long been de rigueur in our culture, almost defined by its political cynicism, to demolish the reputation and integrity of John F Kennedy. But It struck me that the infamous, but almost casual assasination of a man of substance and idealism on a bright sunny day in Dallas marked a watershed in the decline into a cynical ethics-free political culture both in the US and here.

Comparing Barack Obama's farewell speech with the adolescent ramblings of the, still, for a couple of precious hours President elect; and the systematic denigration of a man who struggled, with some success, to do right in an impossible situation, blocked at every turn by blatant political self-interest - that Trump was inevitable.

I was going to re-write: but reading it now it seems as applicable now as then. I've just made minor amendments.

(Technically I tried very hard to make the words work with the rhythms of being sung not read.)

The Day America Died

A long long time ago
I can still remember that young leader with the golden smile
and I know if I had my way
that I'd go back to yesterday
and maybe we'd trust someone once again
but Nixon's lies made us shiver
with every vote that we'd deliver
his abuse of office
Forever robbed us of trust
I do remember good men cried
when they first heard JFK had died
and something touched us deep inside
the day America died.

So bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

Did he write the book of love
we know he had faith in God above
if the bible tells you so
we do believe in rock and roll
that music saves our mortal soul.
but can you teach me how to weep real slow?
Well I know we were in love with him
Cos since he died all the world's gone dim.
We lost our faith that day
man our trust just bled right away
Now I'm a stupid adult voting schmuck
conned by politicians who don't give a fuck
but we know we need more than luck
cos true America died.
I started singin'……………

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

Now for decades we've been on our own
our disbelief and our doubting grown
but that's not how it used to be
Don the jester sings for selfish greed
ignorance that would make John's heart bleed
angry cries that come from you and me.
Oh and while the law was looking down
this jester stole the leader's crown
The courtroom was adjourned
no verdict was returned
and while Donnie loves his own looks
he's empowering many crooks
And we are angry being rooked
Since true America died.
We were singin…..

Bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

Helter skelter in a desert shelter
we all dusted off our fall out shelters
Eight miles high dark drones flew
killing men they never knew.
Shock and Awe the evil branded name
with the jester hiding guilty from the game.
we have won the war we cry out loud
while weeping children form a crowd
brave men and women fought hard
but they never had a chance
as invaders they were in the wrong.
these native sons won't sing our song
and JFK knew right from wrong
but then America died
We started singin'……….

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died
what a good day 'cos he died

And there we are in the wrong place
a generation lost in space
and no heart left to start again.
So come on Jack be nimble Jack be quick
the jester is a narcissistic prick
cos power is the devil's only friend
and as we watch him on the stage
our hands are clenched in fists of rage
no angel born in hell could break this Satan's spell
and as the flames climb high
in someone's night to light the sacrificial rite
we see Satan laughing with delight
because America died
He is singin'…………

bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

I met a ghost who sang the blues
and I asked him for some happy news
but he just wept and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
where we'd heard the real truth years before
but the ghost there said that truth would no longer play
and in the streets the children screamed.
the lovers cried but poets didnt dream
honest words were not spoken
the church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most
the Father Son and the Holy Ghost
they'd caught the last train for the coast
the day America died.
And they were singin'…….

So bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

They were singin'
bye bye, true America died
then we buried our illusions
under cold earth they lie
them good 'ole boys were smilin' guns by their side
singin' what a good day 'cos he died.
what a good day 'cos he died.

Perhaps Trump isn't as stupid as Bush but  America needs a President not a CEO; called unwittingly on the radio this morning "The reality star". Just so.