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Witchfinder General

from Black & Orange by vonHummer

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"Witchfinder General" is another masquerade song on an album full of masquerade songs. This seems to be about the deadly and corrupt office so vital to English Civil War and their witch trials, but under the pilgrim hat, collar, cuffs, and buckles I see...a Human Resources director.

Yes, HR: that most hated of modern scourges, put in place ostensibly to help the "humans" that are "resources" of business, but who actually function as a Gestapo to do the bidding of management. Or, if time allows, pursue their own petty games of power; leading a pay-to-play never ending game of Simon Says, or at best, Mother May I?

Historical note: there never was a female Witchfinder General. There was only one guy who claimed to be have that office, back in 1645, but England denies he ever had that official title.

Very Tull sort of tune. The original lyrics were written in 2008, probably. I took another look in late September and thought, "No, I can do better," and did so. Wrote the music then, too.

lyrics

"Witchfinder General" [vonHummer]

Witchfinder General/Sifts we peasantry/for ye Royalty/ Witchfinder General/Sees the sorcery in you and me/

it’s nothing personal/our inferiority/ Satan, what say you: get thee well behind her/WitchfinderGeneral…

Witchfinder General/schooled somehow in things unearthly/Witchfinder General/moved to mirth by we unworthy/

Innocence, hers to say/(not that nobles have no sway)/Damnéd be thy name in her binder/Witchfinder General/

Self appointed/Self annointed/she takes the cake/throws you in her lake/when she’s hot/When she’s not/she’ll let you off/with a stern reminder/Witchfinder General, is that all you’ve got?/

Witchfinder General/young enough to be omniscient/Witchfinder General/old enough to be deficient/

Save us from them above/Hearts bent to gents below/Mindlessly so may we wear her blinders/Witchfinder General…

credits

from Black & Orange, released October 6, 2010
Vocals: vonHummer
Bass: vonHummer
Drums: vonHummer

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vonHummer Portland, Oregon

vonHummer is a Portland music/cable access legend whose career spanned from Fall of 2001 to Fall of 2011, during which he recorded a hundred or so songs for use in his absurdist show (and feature film) and played only a handful of concerts. Currently retired, his work shines on for the ages. Or will he someday return...? ... more

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