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Dear Mr Johnson

Folk song by Bill Dodds

North East Bylines by North East Bylines
07-07-2022 14:29
in Music, Performance, Politics
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Boris Johnson pants on fire

Photo by Alex Motoc on Unsplash

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North East folk musician, Bill Dodds was asked a while back to write a song about changing behaviour.

As the Bridge folk club, Newcastle wrote at the time:

“Bill was challenged to write a song that asked someone to change their behaviour and to show some understanding of why they had acted that way. Plainly, Bill is a folkie and none of his personal contacts have bad habits so he addressed his song to our revered Prime Minister. It’s an amazing performance – no matter how hard you look it’s impossible to see how he sings a lot of the lyrics with his tongue so far in his cheek. “

North East Bylines felt that now was an appropriate time to revisit the song. The lyrics are below as well as a video of Bill performing at the Bridge.

Dear Mr Johnson please stop lying
I know this will be hard for you to do
The habits of a lifetime are hard to change
Think of all your children and set a good example
They shouldn’t have to hear you lie - quite frankly neither should we
Next time you feel a lie - ready to tumble from your lips
Why not, just try, to tell the truth
I know that it’s hard for narcissistic people
To understand the harm they do
But please have a care for the needs of others
Although you’re the greatest politician living
Help us out so we can help you - that’s all we ask
Next time you feel a lie - ready to tumble from your lips
Why not, just try, to tell the truth
We realise we don’t deserve, someone as good as you
As leaders go, you’re simply the best
You’re simply the best, better than all the rest
Better than anyone, anyone we’ve ever met
We’re stuck on your heart, we hang on every word you say
Tear us apart, yeah we would rather be dead 
Next time you feel a lie - ready to tumble from your lips
Why not, just try, to tell the truth

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