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Song Parodies -> "Kings Are Held In Bought Esteem"

Original Song Title:

"Things Are Seldom What They Seem"

Original Performer:

Gilbert & Sullivan

Parody Song Title:

"Kings Are Held In Bought Esteem"

Parody Written by:

Barry J. Mitchel

The Lyrics

The U.S. financial meltdown that began a year ago had several villains and many willing hangers-on. I used this OS to portray a few of them. We have no kings, just king-pins in both politics and finance.
Kings are held in bought esteem.
Nightmare ends a merry dream.
Highbrow class bear market weathers.
Ponzi schemers plea in tethers.

Very true. So they do.

Black sheep sell investments bold.
All fence sitters hoard their gold.
Stocks turn out to be but dogs.
Bulls are slaughtered, fate of hogs.

So they be, frequently.

Drops the market, stone of mills.
Turbulence ambition kills.
Build derivatives at will;
Bet they're up or down, not still.

Yes, I know. There's much woe.

Though to match your thrift I'm striving,
There's a tipoff -- it's a ripoff.
I don't see just how you're thriving,
Mister Madoff -- Mister Madoff.

Stern convictions for his stealing,
That the S.E.C. is sealing
In oracular revealing.

Yes, I know -- they were slow!
.
Bought big housing, thought so clever,
Price would rock like that forever:
Once foreclosures filled the air,
Ev'ry knave despoiled his lair.

Very true. So they flew.

Drink is often good as food;
Roils one wild and bares the mood.
Thirsty lambs risk toxic dangers;
Bars surround with many strangers.

Frequently, they're hungry.

Lock of lair then ACORN snatches;
Torn-out fixtures show new scratches;
Loan account the bank then matches;
Pay the loan up, patch the patches.

Yes, wise grow richer so.

Though to catch my drift you're striving,
I'll dissemble -- I'll dissemble;
When you see at what I'm driving,
You will tremble -- you will tremble!

Though a mystic's tone I borrow,
You shall learn the truth sans sorrow;
Steer today and spawn tomorrow.

Now you know what is so!
Of 300+ G&S parodies on this site, I believe none uses this song from HMS Pinafore. It's about time.

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Voting Results

 
Pacing: 5.0
How Funny: 5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0

Total Votes: 3

Voting Breakdown

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User Comments

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Dana Mathewson - September 23, 2009 - Report this comment
Ah, G & S -- political parodists per excellence themselves. You're keeping very good company indeed, Barry!
Fiddlegirl - September 23, 2009 - Report this comment
Clever use of OS... and with more than a grain of truth.
Christie Marie M - September 23, 2009 - Report this comment
Greed, pure, and simple! I also can't forget Bernie Madoff and his famous Ponzi scheme as well! Anyways, you just bought 555 shares of stock at $5.55 each!

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