FAWM: "Death and Taxes"

Death and Taxes

Liner Notes

My first song for this year and had to start with #Minnesota. Didn't plan to, but that's what wanted to get written.

Lyrics

Death and Taxes (013126)

You play along with the normal plan They ask you give a bit of your blood to the man Don’t think twice of the actual price Till you’re standing in the streets in their sights

Innocence and open minds Caring hearts will bleed in kind North star state will you show the way To find ourselves on a better day

[ch] Blood and treasure on the snow Didn’t vote but how could you know But in the end it goes Death and taxes

Finish those who are there to aid Land of the free you’ve been betrayed For the taxes you’ve gone and paid Is this just what it’s for?

Wave the flag and free the voice Wave the words like blood and soil Congratulations on your prize I hope you realise….

[br] One of us and all of you They tried it once and still it’s true Just wait until its you

[ch] Blood and treasure on the snow Didn’t vote but how could you know But in the end it goes Death and taxes

Comments

@clocktoys 6d

Excellent. Very punchy and direct. Well crafted protest.

@tolmann 1w

Really impressed, Chris. Driving rhythm and lyrics punch. Very cool!

@chrissteele 1w

Thanks so much, Tom!

@tawny249 1w

I'm saying "oof" a lot in comments, but, well, January 2026. 🙃 This has some poignant wordplay and imagery in it - you did a lot with the concept of death and taxes (i.e., what is the tax? who is dying?). As a lyrics junkie, I appreciate that. The driving rhythm of the guitar really works together with your voice, too.

@mikeskliar 1w

powerful, eloquent, timely and well done! yeah, alot of us are writing about these crazy and sad current events, myself included. Melodically there's perhaps a little bit of David Crosby (or maybe Neil Young?) in there, which is very cool.... nice!