Tom Callinan- These Colors Just Don't Run!

flag courtesy of George and Kim Dingwall

These colors, these colors, these colors just don't run!
Since Betsy Ross first stitched ‘em up for General Washington.
They've stood against both King & Crown, and petty tyrants too.
These colors stand in war and peace, our own red, white and blue!

You can hurl the fire from the sky,
But these colors just don't run!
You can make the tears flow from my eyes,
But these colors just don't run!
You can topple my buildings and kill my friends,
But these colors just don't run!
When you knock me down, I'll get up again;
  ‘Cause these colors just don't run!

You see my tears and think me weak,
But these colors just don't run!
You may see the dust upon my cheek,
But these colors just don't run!
You can turn “Old Glory” to Swiss cheese,
But these colors just don't run!
Do your damndest as you please;
‘Cause these colors just don't run!

When the going gets tough, the tough get going,
And one of these days, you will be knowing,
For you, alas the cock is crowing,
As the stars and stripes flutter in the sun,
To show you your dancing days are done;
‘Cause these colors just don't run!

These Colors Just Don't Run!
By Tom Callinan, © 2001, CANNU YUSIC, LTD.

Leave Elian Alone!
By Tom Callinan

Connecticut's First Official State Troubadour
Copyright (c) 2000 CANNU YUSIC, LTD

Elian Gonzalez left Cuba on a boat,
Three days later he was found clinging to a float.
His mother, stepfather, and ten others lost their lives;
Elian and two more were all who had survived.
A boy of six, and motherless, his father did implore
The I.N.S. to send him back to Cuba's sunny shores,
But his family in Miami said the boy should stay with them.
Thinking only of themselves, not of him.

But Disney and doo-dads don't spell "Daddy",
E.T. even knew the call of home.
Dorothy had everything, but still clicked her heels,
To forsake "The Emerald City", and choose the Kansas fields.
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home,
So, if you folks in Miami care about that little boy,
Butt-out and leave Elian alone!

A dad's love for his children is the closest thing on Earth
To the one who bore that boy or girl, and nursed them after birth.
There's nothing that a mother wouldn't do to save her young;
And fathers too, would give their all for their daughter or their son.
They would climb the tallest mountain, they would swim against the tide.
They would stand against a mighty foe, and fight until they died.
They would walk through Hell and back again to save their children's lives;
They'd do anything it took so they'd survive.

'Cause Disney and doo-dads don't spell "Daddy",
E.T. even knew the call of home.
Dorothy had everything, but still clicked her heels,
To forsake "The Emerald City", and choose Kansas fields.
Be it ever so humble. there's no place like home,
So, if you folks in Miami care about that little boy
Butt-out and leave Elian alone!

There are those with all their imperfections
Who would tell a dad where he should raise his son.
Politicizing family life as if they gave a damn,
Subpoenaing 6 year olds is nothing but a shame!
Polyester heads on every network,
Spouting-off and playing sleezy games;
It's a disgraceful ploy against a little boy,
And every one of them should be ashamed.

REFRAIN: 'Cause Disney...

People in glass houses should refrain from throwing stones,
So butt-out and let him go home!