the Lamb and the Tiger / lyrics: michael hermiston / music: Mark Manrique with m.h.

i haven't written an ostensibly political song in a while, but with Donald Trump saying, "in four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote." ...and his attempts to overturn the last election, as well as with the supreme court allowing a concentration of power in the presidency, i think it is obvious that his desire, and of the "project 2025" sycophants, is to attempt a dictatorship.
thanks Mark for singing and playing a wonderful nautical sounding shanty version, and the great suggestions re. the video
Mark Manrique: vocals, guitar
Mark's channel: / @manriq47
m.h: piano, faux_bass, accordion
lyrics:
v1 the lamb and the tyger
aboard a mighty ship
they rocked it back and forth
but n'er yet did it tip
through winds and storms
its course ever altered
ploughing colossal waves
sturdy hull never faltered
v2 at times the tyger had the helm
into foreign waters steered
to run aground and over reefs
red, white, blue flag and beard
when lamb held tiller firm
steady winds blew sailors home
the mighty ship held solid
for future journeys o'er the foam
ch for years with heaves and yaws
this boat of courage sailed
self-examined joints and timbers
strength never failed
v3 alas came years of stifling heat
and division reigned supreme
the tiger lost his stripes grew orange
the lamb just stopped her dream
without the balance, without the dance
chaotic storm on deck
the crew and shipwright without hope
constitution a wreck
ch seams they opened, mast it fell
rudder to the bottom of sea
tiger held to helm alas
despite the cries and pleas
v4 (sung slower)
some swam ashore, some stayed onboard
some perished in the madness
a floating wreck i sigh
lost democracy with sadness
here north of the 49th
i watch with sinking wonder
where was lamb's and tyger's reason
as this nation's freedom goes under

[@michaelhermiston]

i recommend either reading Ruth Ben-Ghiat's, "Stongmen" or listening to one of her lectures, for example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ql7JYYhtnNt9jpo or Anne Applebaum's lecture on "Autocracy" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX-lpZ6fd9J0p7s or Timothy Snyder on tyranny: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqC4YYynfdx1rrc and Dr. Bandy Lee on Trump's contagion kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5vMaKF3ZbR5o8k and Joe Conason's "The Longest Con" kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fai5Swm9dmnKM and Project 2025 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4ukYZyJibukg8U

[@DEDE-os7qs]

Woderful this song dear Michael😊

[@soniamariavirgilina]

Olá 👋 Michele uau 😮😮muito obrigada por compartilhar Tão linda música 🎶 ouvindo aqui agora ok te desejo muito sucesso pra você abraço ❤

[@civonivirt15]

Great music video with lyrics thank you for sharing

[@jeffreyhartmannmusic]

Great song Michael !!, You are amazing my friend !,,applause…jeff

[@AxeMoose]

Great job guys.

[@laboratorioincognito9420]

Excellent piece of music Michael. I enjoyed listening and watching very much 👍👍👍

[@ernstvingerhoets]

wonderful upload. very peaceful

Important song with great lyrics! 👍👍👍

[@reliablebow]

Amazing song gentlemen….Let us continue to be ever mindful of how delicate this all really is.

[@Marthandam2chennai]

Nice❤❤❤😮😮😮😮😊

[@hoshiclovervlog7965]

Hello my friends do beautifull songs support full done new friend here thanks you 3:04

[@alfonsdemunter]

Hallo Michael & Mark, this is a beautiful original collab song and great interpretation by you my dear friends … congratulations ! 👍👍 BIG like. I wish you all the best ... Fons.

[@JaykleMusic]

Really nice track Michael, nice lyrics and nice motivation for the song, great job 🎸 🎼 🎤🎹🎼👏👏

[@CARLOSFRANCO1000]

Nice video my dear Michael... congratulations.... amazing presentation... thank you so much for sharing.... great video.... 🎶🎶🎶🎶✨✨🌿🌿

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks so much!!🙏🏾

[@shanwarajapan2320]

Very beautiful , Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the work. everything look absolutely beautiful .Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful. Keep doing the best work. I hope you and your family are always happy. like

[@nllleonard]

Thank you friends for sharing this thoughtful, sobering message and song. "Speaking truth to power" has never been more important in my lifetime and that is very nearly seventy years. We all stand to suffer but some more than others and I take seriously the "loving my neighbor" part. I appreciate you both. I adore that Norman Rockwell painting at 2:56. That is who we ARE and who we are meant to be.

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks NAncy, "speaking truth to power" really sums up what is needed!! another phrase is "keeping your eyes on the prize" the prize being kindness and love and not violence. wishing you all the best ...i'm glad Mark suggested that Rockwell 💚💙💜🌈🕊🪺🎶🎵😎

[@nllleonard]

PS...First thought it was going to be a song about the poems "The Tyger" and "The Lamb"...by William Blake

[@michaelhermiston]

i seemed to recall a Wm Blake reference to the Tyger and the Lamb as representing American ideals, and that was my inspiration and also i recalled an essay by Chris Hedges in which he uses the Pequod from Moby Dick as the theme of the struggles your country goes through.... we are inspired by the creativity of other eh?

[@michaelhermiston]

i searched for the Chris Hedges article...it's still posted www.truthdig.com/articles/we-are-all-aboard-the-pequod/

[@zepp2498]

Oh, acually many perished in the madness, and this is scary. Like you I do not express much about politics, but sometimes it's necessary to tell the truth. Thank you for sharing this song, your lyrics are clear. Mark did also a beautiful music: Bravo, well done and performed. Like 👍.

[@CutterJ]

@@zepp2498 so, the truth needs to be told? Well, here’s some truth for you if you are so scared of a man that loves his country and knows how to lead. The opposition stands for open borders, mutilation of children, pandering to and weakness on full display before the world, and dependency on other nations for energy, etc…BOO! Scared yet? Cutter & Ms C

[@davidmeister_ch]

Hello again, Michael, you wrote a song that needed to be written in times like these. I have more hope democracy will win out than I had a few weeks ago, but still, there are too many power hungry people in powerful positions worldwide at the moment that's it's worrying indeed. Let's hope the ship democray will also pass this storm. Thank you for your beautiful song. And thank you Mark for your moving vocal performance! A big like from me!

[@Franswa]

I’m watching the US elections with fear… and hope. Thank you Michael for this beautiful song.

[@pianothingsmusic]

A really lovely song, Michael! 🎶

[@manriq47]

Thanks to all for the kind words and thanks for taking the time to listen and understand what Michael’s words are saying. Hopefully, the ship of state is in the process of righting its course. Keep hope alive. ~ Mark

[@onewomanandsomesongs]

Listened to this gem of an original on Mark’s channel just now. Definitely worth another listen….a wonderful offering, Michael and Mark! :) Janet

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks Janet, ya, Mark did a fabulous job with the music..... a true collaboration!! i am loving the mood in the states these days, hopefully this tune will go the way of the dustbin (to mix metaphors)🧹🕳✍🏽✔🇺🇸

[@PaulDes]

a beautuful upload Michael !!!

[@bamsdram]

Aye Michael, this one has an olde feel to it and the words have come from a man who feels a coming storm.... lets hope it blows over .......

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks Jim, it'll be great to get back to normal political disagreements instead of democracy vs fascism struggles....

[@TonVenhuizen]

Nice one. I like the other vocals (not that I don't like yours), these are also dangerous times...

[@garyschafer-thepickinpilot9010]

This is absolutely fantastic, Michael. Beautifully written with a message that more people need to hear and understand. I wrote one with a similar message called "A Storm Brewing", a few months ago. Unfortunately, the supporters in the Trump cult, are blind to the realities of what lies ahead if the lunatic is elected. Well done, my friend 👏👏👏👏🎸🎸🎹🎹❤❤

[@michaelhermiston]

i know that the majority of American are reasonable and have great hope that they'll recognize the need to take a stand and vote intelligently.... thanks so much....i love your 'storm is brewing' song...great music!!!

[@CutterJ]

@@garyschafer-thepickinpilot9010 nah, we have been suffering the realities of a Biden/ Harris administration, thank you very much. Trump never was weak and had things in this bad of shape and will turn around this runaway train. That’s the reality of another Trump term, scary gary… Cutter

[@garyschafer-thepickinpilot9010]

Who is suffering? The market is booming, the unemployment is at record lows. I feel sorry for you if you can't see through the facade of a convicted criminal and sex offender. If that's what you call strength, then I know why you can't see how dangerous the maniac is.

[@CutterJ]

@@garyschafer-thepickinpilot9010 The market is booming🙄it’s down over 700 points today in fears of a recession, lol. And please don’t feel sorry for me scary gary. Save all of those liberal tears in case Cackela doesn’t win in November. Now if you have some prayers for me and the Mrs, we’ll take all of those.👍 Cutter

[@BadassBrutusGuitar]

Great original song Michael.... Read the description and I totally agree what you are writing! Stay safe and sane my friend Bert

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks Bert... ya, it's pretty crazy in the States, the Trump cult is beyond comprehension ...the more i look into Trump's history, the more i see a damaged guy and a dangerous guy ...take care💙🕊🌈🎶🎵🌞

[@MikeAndDawnGineseMusic]

Beautiful thoughtful song & message. There are so many voices out there. My solution is, if you serve the public in some way especially those running for or running the country, need a truth & intention chip installed & said persons nose lights up when a lie is told. 😂 I’ve heard the 2025 group is not Trump’s plan, I read his is called Agenda47. It’s sad that the country is so divided & different. It makes our job of thoughtfully listening to each other more difficult. Have an awesome week-end Michael. ✨🎵💜 D

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks for having a listen 💚 having a handle on politicians lying would certainly help gauge their suitability to make decisions for a country... it would declare hidden agendas too.... whatever is decided in November, folks will have to live with it!! all the best Mike and Dawn

[@MikeAndDawnGineseMusic]

@@michaelhermiston yes Michael, all the best to you as well. ✨🎵💜

[@elenilabaki]

Υπέροχο μου αρέσει πολύ😊🛎️🌺✍️🌹 συνεχίζουμε μαζί 🤝🛎️

[@davidmalton3984]

BRING ON THE TRUMP!!!!!!!!! THIS, COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN AMERICA, A FINE PIECE, PERFORMED BEAUTIFULLY, LOVED THE HARMONIES . . . . : 0 )

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks David, i surely hope Trump loses if only for his own health and inner growth..too many sycophants have encouraged his bad behaviours 💙✍🏽✔️

[@davidmalton3984]

@@michaelhermiston HERE'S HOPING 👍😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁👍

[@CutterJ]

When and if President Trump is elevated back to the White House in November and all of you chicken little’s that believe in all of the lies and misinformation being shared about him find out that his second term turns out to be like his first, successful and prosperous, maybe, just maybe then you will regret all of your hyperventilation over and misinterpretation of the man. We can only hope… Cutter & Ms C

[@michaelhermiston]

so you don't believe that he said, "in four years, you don't have to vote again. We'll have it fixed so good, you're not gonna have to vote." even though i saw him say it?

[@CutterJ]

@@michaelhermiston lol, Trump says all kinds of stupid stuff. He’s the master troller. He knows it’s gonna get all of the lefties and marxists’ boxers in a bunch. That’s why he’s so authentic and funny. The people that get it love him and the people that don’t go bananas.

[@CutterJ]

@@michaelhermiston lol, Trump says all kinds of stupid things. He’s the master troller. That’s why the people that get it love him and the ones who don’t go bananas…

[@michaelhermiston]

you want someone who says stupid things to be president? i don't think he has a good heart, he says mean things...i guess we continue to disagree ..c'est la vie... hope you're having a good summer🕊🌻🌞🌱🍓😎

[@CutterJ]

@@michaelhermiston i would rather have someone who says stupid things than someone who does stupid things and has disastrous policies for our country. Touché