The Big Men Came Lyrics

Once I was a big league troublemaker
A thorn in authority's side
I marched a lot and sang a lot
And talked a good deal more
My attitude was known far and wide
I was looked upon with awe in certain circles
For you never could be sure just what I'd say
And then not too long ago
My presence was laid low
When the big men came and took my voice away

I can't say I was minding my own business
I never was too good at keeping still
I was stirring up a ruckus
Right outside the White House door
While the President kicked around some stupid bill
I hopped up on a soapbox and I shouted
?Downtrodden people, this will be your day!?
I was getting pretty loud
And then right out of the crowd
The big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came
And they took away my voice
Now I can only shake my fists
And never make a noise
They warned me not to talk so loud
Or there would come a day
When the big men would come take my voice away.

They brought along a writ and a subpoena
Those fellas surely didn't waste their time
They threw me on the ground
And they didn't make a sound
And they didn't even charge me with a crime
They reached right down my throat and grabbed my larynx
Tacked on a little tag, ?Exhibit A?
And the people that were there
Walked away without a care
When the big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came
And they took away my voice
Now I can only shake my fists
And never make a noise
They warned me not to talk so loud
Or there would come a day
When the big men would come take my voice away.

Now it's sitting with my file inside a folder
So it won't fall in the hands of evil men
The accompanying report
Is to the point and short
With a footnote that says ?Freedom wins again!?
I try to put my speeches down on paper*
But who has time to read these busy days?
And I notice with a frown
That my brain is slowing down
Since the big men came and took my voice away

Well the big men came
And they took away my voice
Now I can only shake my fists
And never make a noise
They warned me not to talk so loud
Or there would come a day
When the big men would come take my voice away.