The Tyrant's Commonwealth

"Dear Tyrant King sir

A tragedy has occurred

There's a famine in the state

Not a morsel on anyone's plate"

Why, this calls for an emergency

We must act with efficiency

Gather all my subjects in the palace

And put some wine in my chalice

"Yes Sir in a second

As soon as I've reckoned

If they'll drink coffee or tea

And if there's a reward for me"

Make it quick, make it quick

I've got my daughter's husband to pick

Meanwhile find a way

to make the peasants pay

"Taxes in the time of famine, Your Majesty?

Would that not be a travesty?"

Well if they can't buy bread or fruit

I think I might as well keep the loot

And once the ministers are here

Make my instructions very clear

I don't want any oversights

After all it's an issue of human rights

I want a monument made

Without the labourers paid

To mark this occasion

of hunger invasion

Tell the jester to ready his act

Tell him to make fun of the facts

make the singers sing a song

about all that has gone wrong

The music and dance will follow

highlighting the people's sorrow

And finally there must be an address

To satisfy the nosy press

Once the ceremony's done

and we've all had our fun

There won't be much else to do

And yes I shall reward you

As for the hunger thing

These are the orders of the King

The people must stay hungry for a while

And we will celebrate their hunger in style