Freedom of Choice

One expectant mother
Strolling down the street
One prouder lady
You will never meet
The thing inside her womb
Will be named Robert or John
It won’t be called Antonio, Mohammed or Juan
When the earth’s been around the sun five times after he’s born
He’ll be sent to school one chilly September morn
Where he’ll be taught to stay in line and answer the bells
And memorize the same things as everyone else
And he’ll thank god for his freedom of choice

He will drive 55 all his life
He will drive 55 all his life
And he knows that that the Lord hath ordained for the hordes
To drive 55 all their life
There’s 55 weeks in the year & that is best
He made the world in 55 days
And on the 56th he rests

He’ll watch the evening news so he’ll be in the know
Got to the art museums and he’ll criticize Van Gogh
He’ll see the right movies read the right magazines
He’ll be the voice of reason, you won’t find him making scenes
He’ll be jealous of the man who’s first in line
He’ll scorn the man who’s last
He’ll horde for the future
He’ll regret the past
He’ll be a republican or democrat
By the time he’s 30 he’ll be married and fat
And he’ll thank god for his freedom of choice

He will drive 55 all his life
He will drive 55 all his life
And he knows his dear god
Hath commanded the mob
To drive 55 all his life

All men equal
Al men brothers
Praise Father, Son, Holy Ghost
And 52 others

One expectant mother
Strolling down the road
One expectant mother
Carrying her load
The thing inside her womb
Can become anything at all
Right now the thing inside her
Is just an enzymatic ball
Soon the thing inside will
Tear through her like a knife
Soon the thing inside will
Forge its own separate life
But now all is quiet
The child is unaware
Blissful in the fruits of prenatal care

And she’ll thank god for her freedom of choice
And we all thank god for our freedom of choice

(lyrics: Dan Bern)

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