A Simple Desultory Philippic
(Or How I Was Lyndon Johnsoned Into Submission)


I was Union Jacked, Kerouac'd
John Birched, stopped and searched
Rolling Stoned and Beatled till I'm blind
I've been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
Communist 'cos I'm lefthanded
That's the hand they use, well, never mind!

I've been Walt Disneyed, Dis Disleyed
John Lennoned, Krishna Menoned
Walter Brennan punched out Cassius Clay
I've heard the truth from Lenny Bruce
and all my wealth won't buy me health
So I smoke a pint of tea a day

I knew a man his brain so small,
He couldn't think of nothin' at all
He's not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry
He's so unhip that When you say Dylan,
he thinks you're talkin' about Dylan Thomas
Whoever he is
The man ain't got no culture
But its alright, Ma
It's just something I learned over in England

I've been James Joyced, Rolls Royced
Mick Jaggered, silver daggered
Andy Warhol won't you please come home?
I've been mother, fathered, aunt and uncled
Tom Wilsoned, Art Garfunkled
Barry Kornfeld's mother's on the phone

When in London, do as I do
Find yourself a friendly haiku
Go to sleep for ten or fifteen years



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Guitarra: Paul Simon



©1965 Paul Simon(BMI)
Disco:
The Paul Simon Songbook

Comentarios: Considerada una parodia del estilo de escritura de Bob Dylan, especialmente de "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)", del disco de 1965 Bringing It All Back Home.
Un año después, en 1966, Simon reescribió la canción y la grabó para el disco de Simon & Garfunkel Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, cambiando el subtítulo por (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) y haciendo varios cambios en la letra y personajes que aparecen en ella (Ver Aquí).
Las lines "It's all right Ma. It's just something I learned over in England" hace referencia a las canciones de Dylan "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" y "I Shall Be Free No. 10".
Al final de la canción cuando dice "Find yourself a friendly haiku" (Búscate un haiku amistoso) hace referencia a su novia de entonces Kathy Chitty a quien la gente conocía como "The Haiku".

"Esta es, por supuesto, una parodia, imitación, una broma privada, pero ninguna broma es tan privada o menos seria por ser una broma". Escribió Judith Piepe en las notas del Songbook respecto a la canción.

 

 
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