And With Your Words Be Handy!

And With Your Words Be Handy! (Tune: Yankee Doodle)
Preamble In seventeen-hundred-eighty-nine they made a resolution To add a dozen articles to the U.S. Constitution. CHORUS: (Sing after every article.) Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Mind the process of the law and with your words be handy. Article 1 We can represent ourselves in appropriate proportion And cap it off at just one Rep for every fifty-thousand. Article 2 Senators can raise their pay if their bankrolls are depleted But if their raise gets out of hand they're sure to be unseated. Article 3 Citizens can go to church or peaceably assemble, Find a soapbox in the park and preach until they tremble. Article 4 Americans can carry guns and keep them for protection But how we regulate their use defies a definition. Article 5 Soldiers can't stay in your house if you don't choose to let them. Unless in time of war a law is passed that you must bed them. Article 6 No one can invade your home and read your true confessions Unless they've got a warrant and a list of your possessions. Articie 7 If you've done a deed so bad that no one can define it, You'll find yourself in front of folks appointed to outline it. Article 8 Anyone who wants to make a serious accusation Had better do it promptly in a public situation. Article 9 Suspects can't be put in jail upon an allegation Unless a thoughtful jury finds a reason for conviction. Article 10 If you end up in the clink and someone comes to free you, You shan't be charged excessive bail nor judges over-fee you. Article 11 If an item in these Rights opposes your convictions, Take it to the highest court to settle contradictions. Article 12 If the powers stated here don't offer a solution, Take it to your governor to find a resolution. Postamble Three through ten were ratified there've been additions since then. If you want to know the rest, go read your Constitution. (CHORUS)
© 2002 by Doleta Chapru

And With Your Words Be Handy!
(Tune: Yankee Doodle)

Preamble
In seventeen-hundred-eighty-nine they made a resolution
To add a dozen articles to the U.S. Constitution.

CHORUS: (Sing after every article.)
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy,
Mind the process of the law and with your words be handy.

Article 1
We can represent ourselves in appropriate proportion
And cap it off at just one Rep for every fifty-thousand.

Article 2
Senators can raise their pay if their bankrolls are depleted
But if their raise gets out of hand they're sure to be unseated.

Article 3
Citizens can go to church or peaceably assemble,
Find a soapbox in the park and preach until they tremble.

Article 4
Americans can carry guns and keep them for protection
But how we regulate their use defies a definition.

Article 5
Soldiers can't stay in your house if you don't choose to let them.
Unless in time of war a law is passed that you must bed them.

Article 6
No one can invade your home and read your true confessions
Unless they've got a warrant and a list of your possessions.

Articie 7
If you've done a deed so bad that no one can define it,
You'll find yourself in front of folks appointed to outline it.

Article 8
Anyone who wants to make a serious accusation
Had better do it promptly in a public situation.

Article 9
Suspects can't be put in jail upon an allegation
Unless a thoughtful jury finds a reason for conviction.

Article 10
If you end up in the clink and someone comes to free you,
You shan't be charged excessive bail nor judges over-fee you.

Article 11
If an item in these Rights opposes your convictions,
Take it to the highest court to settle contradictions.

Article 12
If the powers stated here don't offer a solution,
Take it to your governor to find a resolution.

Postamble
Three through ten were ratified
there've been additions since then.
If you want to know the rest,
go read your Constitution.

(CHORUS)