Category Archives: Grannies

New Year’s Vision

  • tune: Deck the Halls

Tax the rich; don’t starve the poor, Fa la la la la la la la la
Let’s end homelessness for sure, Fa la la…etc
Raise the wages, increase welfare, Fa la la etc….
Share the wealth and cut the warfare, Fa la la etc….

Let’s pass healthcare legislation, Fa la la la la la la la la
That will cover all the nation, Fa la la, etc…
Clean up all the air and water, Fa la la etc…
Let’s take no more steers to slaughter, Fa la la etc….

Join the grannies, fight by golly, Fa la la la la la la la la
End all this nuclear folly, Fa la la, etc..
Build a world where children thrive, Fa la la etc..
Do it while you’re still alive, Fa la la etc…

Grannies Come Marching In

  • tune: The Campbells are Coming
    lyrics by Paula Rochelle

When the Grannies come marching in (2X)
We will know what’s on our plate,
When the Grannies come marching in.

  • When the Grannies come marching in (2X)
    You will know where it’s from
    When the Grannies come marching in.

When the Grannies come marching in (2X)
You will know there are GMO’s
When the Grannies come marching in.

  • When we make peace instead of war(2X)
    How I want to be in that number
    When we make peace instead of war!

From: World Food Crisis, WILPF San Jose branch 7/2012;
sung by San Jose Grannies

Gaggle to Save the World

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies
We’re telling you now,
We’re showing you how
To save the world.

Oh, we’re a gaggle of grandmas,
And not just here for the heehaws.
There’s work to be done,
And it’s not always fun,
To save the world.

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies.
We’ll search in the nooks and the crannies
To find ways for peace,
For suffering to cease,
Save the world!

Gaggle Against SOA (School of the Americas)

  • tune: Side by Side
    The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993, adapted by Kay Thode

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We want a new choice,
No SOA.

Though it’s helping freedom they’re claiming
Their purpose really is maiming,
Our taxes must not
Be used for this plot
NO SOA.

To change this situation,
We’ve got to close this school,
End all the brutal violence,
And the military rule.

Soooo, join this gaggle of Grannies,
Get up off of your fannies,
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how, NO SOA.
We really mean it, NO SOA
We mean precisely NO SOA
Read our lips: (mouth: NO SOA)

Introduction to Grannies

  • tune: Daisy, Daisy
    The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993

Raging Grannies, we’re visiting at your place.
Where there’s action we always show our face.
When we see a disturbing headline,
A light bulb pops in our mind.
By day or night we sit and write
A song that we can share.

In Iraq and also El Salvador
Where the children have suffered because of war,
The cause the kids do not see
They only know they’re hungry.
It would be great if strife and hate
Would end soon for all of them.

We love singing of peace and environment.
We hope you know exactly what we have meant.
We try to sing out loudly
And say the words out proudly.
Thought we have stiff backs
And our voices have cracks,
We hope you will bear with us.

For the children
Of each and every land
We are caring
We’re stretching out our hands.
The children of the world can
Be peaceful and secure and
If war’s to end, we must unbend—
It can start with you and me.

Happy 60th Birthday Annette

  • by Laurie Rostholder

Not yet wearing hats
One person says: Happy Birthday Antoinette
We sing:

A you’re adorable
B you’re beatific
C you’re so calm and a cutie
D never daring
E such equanimity
And F as fashionable as can be……….

Someone playing Annette interrupts: I have no idea who you’re singing about, but there’s no way this can be about me….
One person says: Aren’t you Antoinette Campstein?
Annette: No way!!!!!
One person says: Oops!!! Wrong gig!!!
Everyone puts on hats while saying: So sorry!!! So Sorry!!!
Shuffle papers looking for correct song
One person says: Here it is
Turn sheet over

Happy Birthday Rosy

  • tune: Glory Glory Hallelujah
    by Laurie Rostholder
  • Chorus
    Our dear Rosy just turned sixty
    She can pass for barely fifty
    On top of that she’s really nifty
    Dear Rosy we love you

She’s been the Grannies’ song leader for many long years
Patient with us when our voices bring some folks to tears
Back in tune and to the right- no left- words she always steers
Dear Rosy we love you

She’s been teaching non- violence for many decades now
She wants to turn all swords into instruments that plow
Even if she thinks it she never would go pow
Dear Rosy we love you

Some years ago decided that she’d get really fit
To hike and ski and bike and walk and not on her butt sit
Her muscles and her shape show that from this she did not flit
Dear Rosy we love you

She uses all her gifts in many ways we realize
She’s sweet and tough and kind and smart, creative and she’s wise
If you think our Rosy’s just one way watch out for a surprise
Dear Rosy we love you

  • Chorus
    Our dear Rosy just turned sixty
    She can pass for barely fifty
    On top of that she’s nifty
    Dear Rosy we love you

Gaggle Against Everything

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies.
We’re raising our voice-
We want a new choice-
No more—-

You’ll hear them all soon

With all the issues unending.
And lousy choices that’re pending
It may be health care-
Or coal destroying the air
No more—

You’ll hear them all soon

There are so many things to sing of,
We feel like we’ ll go nuts,
Overwhelmed by war and havoc,
And politicians with no guts.

So join this gaggle of grannies,
Get up off of your fannies.
We’ re telling you now,
We’ re angry and how. . ,
No more war,
no more nukes,
no more homelessness,
no more greed,
no more cuts,
no more hunger,
no more torture,
no more lousy mental health treatment,
no more sexism,
no more homophobia,
no more ageism,
no more global warming,
no more bad education,
no more intolerance,
no more rendition,
no more guns,
no more tazers,
no more drones,
no more coal,
no more racism,
no more foreclosures,
no more extremism,
no more domestic violence,
no more expensive inaccessible health care,
no more dolphins guarding nuclear weapons,
no more clear cutting,
no more gas guzzlers,
no more poverty,
no more domestic spying,
no more us versus them

(To Audience) “Anything else?”

(Then back to us)
no more saggy boobs (what?)
no more singing off tune

We really mean it! All of the above!
We mean precisely! All of the above!
We will say it very nicely!
All of the above!
Read our lips!
All of the above!

Dangerous Grannies

  • tune: Shortnin’ Bread

Grannies’ songs are dangerous
Threatening, threatening
Subversively they thumb the nose at powers that be
Police will come and lock them up
Shut them up, tie them up

Grannies should be home in bed, snoring, snoring
Grannies should not rage~-where is their dignity?
Never mind the rights and wrongs
Stop their songs, stop their songs
Protests are ilIegal–just you want and see.

Grannies’ songs are dangerous
Threatening, threatening
Subversively they thumb the nose at powers that me.
Police will come and lock them up
Shut them up, tie them up
Fancy us supposing that speech is free!

OH, SILLY ME!

Criminal Grans

  • tune: Lili Marlene

We might be subversive-
Throw us in the clink.
We persist in thinking
When it’s not safe to think.
We poke and we pry and then tell you
What they ‘d prefer that no one knew.
A geriatric menace-
We instigate dissent.

We defy their wiretaps,
We might moon their snoops,
And we shall go on meeting
If they outlaw our groups.
We’ll read and we’ll write the things we please
For we believe in liberty.
We’re dangerous insurgents-
We love the Bill of Rights.

They try to keep the lid on,
Try to shut us up.
Ridicule won’t do it,
So better call a cop.
We’ve been around and we don’t scare.
We’re here, we’re there, we’re everywhere,
Your neighbors, friends, and mothers-
We are the Raging Grans!
Your neighbors friends and mothers-
We are the Raging Grans!

We’re Rising Up!

  • tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic

We’re the Raging Grannies and we’re here to take a stand,
To break the chain of our abuse across this mighty land.
We proclaim our dignity, and justice our demand-
We’re Rising Up today!

  • Chorus:
    No more rape and no more beatings.
    Women rise! We’re tired of pleading.
    We’re rising up to tell you that our bodies are our own;
    We’re Rising Up today!

We rise in Seattle // to say it’s a disgrace
That women’s rights might simply disappear without a trace.
We dance and sing and shout out loud to save the human race!
We’re Rising Up today!

What makes you men think you can take your liberties with us?
We’re mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters, kickin’ up a fuss.
Your violations end today, there’s no more to discuss!
We’re Rising Up today!

We dance today for justice, and it’s not just for the sport.
We own our bodies; we’ll protect the rights for which we fought…
The right to step out unafraid; the freedom to abort.
We’re Rising Up today!

Repeat Chorus

Be Kind to the Mentally Ill

  • tune: Be Kind to Your Web-footed Friends

BE kind to the mentally ill,
For that kook may be somebody’s mother
Be kind to the weird in the street
They are some of the smartest folks you’ ll meet.
Now, you may think that drugs are a cure Well, they AREN’T

You are kind to your poet friend Lyn
You know she and the Grannies are kin
You’re kind even when she is late
And has put much too much on her plate.
Now, you may think that she’s scatter-brained
Well, she is!

Volunteer Song

  • from the Canadian Grannies
  • tune: Hi Lili, Hi Lili, Hi Lo

A volunteer sings a new song
To help the weary go on.
A volunteer is that extra spark
To move the world along.
A volunteer is the sound of hope
When things could start to go wrong.
We look round this place and we name the names
Of those who have gone forth and done.
Today as we meet here and through the years
You’ve given, you’ve been there, well done.

Three Raging Grannies

  • by Monica Zucker
  • tune: Three Little Maids from School

To be sung by three sopranos very delicately.

Three Raging Grannies singing gently
Try not to act too temperament’ly
But we know a hundred percently
Nothing is going well.

War is the base of much bereaving,
Rights are gone, our jobs are leaving,
Homes are lost—we’re disbelieving
They’ll ever end this spell.

First two wars so devastating
Invasion labeled liberating
Then Katrina inundating–
Many more tales to tell

Let’s hope the new administration
Finds ways to use negotiation,
Ends our despair and deep frustration
Let peace and freedom swell!

Three Raging Grans sing very sweetly.
We’ll sock it to ’em oh so neatly.
We should impeach them all completely!
Everything’s gone to (cover mouth, deep bow).

There Are Women in Our Town

  • from The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993 
  • tune: there’s a Tavern in the Town

There are women in our town, in our town,
Who are bravely breaking ground, breaking ground.
They are showing us how to be equal, strong and free.
Granny would be proud of you and me, you and me!

  • Chorus:
    Fare thee well, for when we leave thee,
    Just remember we still need thee,
    And remember that we all must play our, our part.

Long ago our Grannies joined the fight, joined the fight.
To earn for us some equal rights, equal rights,
Like vo-oting and almost equal pay
Thanks to them we’re better off today, today!

Chorus

Now the issues aren’t so clear, aren’t so clear.
We need to fight them far and near, far and near.
When patriarchy and prejudice are gone,
There’ll still be issues to work on, work on!
There’ll still be issues to work on!

Sing Out

  • tune: John Brown’s Body

We sing the many causes and we protest many wrongs
We try to make a diff’rence with our hats and with our songs
We fight against indifference and outright prejudice
And we work with other folk for peace and jus-tice
(point out to the crowd)

Chorus
Sing out, sing out with the Grannies (3X)
For together we are strong
(hold up arms, showing muscles)

We celebrate the courage of all ordinary folk
Communities that strengthen us and friends to share a joke
Survivors of adversity and mental health distress
Who, living fully, show us how to give and bless

Chorus

Our governments must listen to their citizens’ loud pleas
Recognize the problems and re-spon-si-bi-li-ties
Alleviate the poverty, provide health care for all
Homes for the homeless, justice, peace, rights for all

Chorus

Raging Grannies Are Conspiring

  • by Laurie Rostholder
  • tune: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad

Raging Grannies are conspiring
To make their audience laugh.
Satire is so very frightening
It’s clearly a (speak) TERRORIST path.

Listen to their conversation.
They speak of peace not war.
Anti-Bush recriminations-
They always go too far.

Metal in their hips,
Metal in their knees,
They’re hiding weapons
No one can see.

We have found them out,
Know what they’re all about,
A peace and social justice
Con-spir-acy.

Someone’s singing for justice,
Someone’s singing for an end to war,
Someone’s singing for fairness,
Scaring us to the core…

We’re scared of:

Gaggles of grannies singing their song
Gaggles of grannies make us quake,
Gaggles of grannies must be watched
Our country is at stake.

Grannies with their hats
A bunch of old bats
Scaring us with
What they sing.

If they ever stay in tune
That will surely spell our doom
Spreading freedom and democracy.

We’re raging

Grannies singing for justice,
Grannies singing for an end to war,
Grannies singing for fairness
World Peace Forevermore!

Peace, Peace

Peace, peace, peace, peace.
Wars must end and wars must cease.
We must learn to live together.
Peace, peace, peace.

Peace, peace, peace, peace.
Make homelessness and hunger cease.
We can learn to live together.
Peace, peace, peace.

Peace, peace, peace, peace.
Police brutality must cease.
We must learn to live together.
Peace, peace, peace.
Peace, peace, peace.

Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?

  • by the Edmonton Grannies

Oh, dear, what can the matter be?
We’ve been attacked by the forces of gravity.
Fat has appeared where there once was concavity.
Nobody said life was fair.

Older men become more adorable,
Even though their figures’ deplorable.
Their mystique is always endurable,
With or without their gray hair.

Older women are thought unattractive.
They’re shunned as if radioactive.
They jiggle so when they become active—
It’s back to the old rocking chair.

(Kazoo interlude)

Well, these old gray mares,
We ain’t what we used to be.
We’ve given up on respectability.
Don’t give a fig for acceptability—
We’re far too awesome to care!

It Ain’t Necessarily So

  • Lyrics by Salt Spring Raging Grannies of Canada to Tune by George Gershwin
  • Note: The full title of this song is “All Purpose Comprehensive Rant about Everything That Is Wrong with the Whole World.” Seattle Grannies may make up verses for occasions.

CHORUS
It ain’t necessarily so,
It ain’t necessarily so.
The corporate media
Would like to mislead ya,
It ain’t necessarily so,

(Environment)

Salt Spring’s not gone to the dogs.
Trees are just unemployed logs.
We mustn’t get madder
Just ‘cause Taxada
Is trashing our watershed bogs.

Don’t worry about greenhouse gas–
The doom and gloom won’t come to pass.
Remember the looting
We get from polluting
All goes to the governing class.

CHORUS

(Food)

Genetically modified food
Is certified legally good.
Ignore all the rumors—
Just be good consumers.
Don’t ask all those questions—it’s rude.

Hormone-laced beef is just swell.
Just look at our own NHL.
No need for inspection
Of bovine injection—
Don’t you want to be macho as well?

(Big Business)

We always promote human rights.
We worry, and can’t sleep at nights.
But sooner or later
The gangster dictators
Who buy our arms must see the light.

Our banks are the best ever seen.
The profits they make aren’t obscene.
We like the adoption
Of enormous stock options
For CEOs fleeing the scene.

Drug company profits are small.
They’re lobbying hardly at all.
When they hear generics
They go into hysterics
For fear that the share prices will fall.

Africa’s dying of AIDS,
But drug barons got to get paid.
They say they feel saddened,
But they hold the patent.
Take aspirin and sit in the shade.

Free trade’s the best way to go.
Only subversives say no.
We’ll follow the factories
South and drink daiquiris.
Viva Low Wage Mexico!

CHORUS

(Schools)

Our school rooms are all well-supplied.
Whoever denies it has lied.
They depend for kids’ readers
On corporate leaders
Who peddle their Pepsi inside.

(Health)

Health care is our most sacred trust.
We’ll give you some time to adjust.
In a matter of urgency
Camp in Emergency
And sit till you’re gathering dust.

CHORUS

(WTO)

Quebec’s got a Big Business Fair.
It’ll be just like Tienamin Square
They admit it’s a pity
To barb-wire the city,
But people might try to get there.

(Defenses)

Women should man submarines,
‘Cause women are fighting machines.
If the ship isn’t celibate
The brass won’t think well of it
Unless there are separate latrines.

CHORUS

(Finally)

We sing ‘cause we don’t want to curse.
We’re alive, and we don’t need a hearse.
But if there’s a screw-up
We plan to wake you up
Or everything’s sure to get worse.

Hinda

  • by Jo-Hanna Read
  • tune: Bicycle Built for Two

Hinda, Hinda,
What are we gonna do?
It’s your birthday,
Here is a toast to you.
You don’t have a lot of patience
For vacuous celebrations,
What we want to do
Is honor you,
But what can we rhyme with “feisty”?

Invincible Shirley Morrison

  • It’s a Grand Old Flag

Let us give a cheer
For our Shirley so dear.
She’s an angel of caring and peace.
She wants rights for all,
She’s always on call,
Her devotion to duty won’t cease.

Shirley’s on the go-
You never would know
That she’s into her ninetieth year.
The call goes out-
She’s on her way!
Here comes Shirley! Hooray! She’s here!

Hokus Pokus

  • tune: Hokey Pokey

You know the right wing’s in.
Let’s get the right wing out.
Put good people in
To shake things all about.
We’ll stop the hokus pokus,
Find help for those in need—
That’s what it’s all about!

We’ll put some health care in,
Take the missiles out,
Fund housing and our schools,
And shake things all about.
We’ll stop the hokus pokus
With jobs and equal pay—
That’s what it’s all about!

They say new fashions are in
And our hairstyles are out.
We Grannies don’t care
Their wisdom we doubt.
Let’s change to comfy clothing
And throw the high heels out.
That’s what it’s all about!

Let’s stop the hokus pokus,
Let’s readjust our focus!
That’s what it’s all about!

Hinda’s Birthday Song (2011)

  • by Shirley Morrison
  • tune: Bicycle Built for Two

Hinda’s Birthday,
We celebrate today.
She’s SO serious,
But she also likes to play.
Now she’s an octogenarian,
But not a true vegetarian.
She eats some meat, but rarely a sweet,
Goes swimming most every day.

Hinda is a –
Dancer and actress, too.
Walked for miles to
See a Seattle view.
On stage with our hostess Becca,
In Playback improvisation,
They used their ima-ginations to
PlayBack a story or two.

Hinda’s family’s
Here to celebrate.
Raisa and Adam,
Their children can hardly wait
To fly up from California
To visit their dear Grandma.
Elliana is 5, Amalie 2.
Grandma Hinda is happy, ’tis true.

There’s Ben Louis,
Hinda’s handsome son.
There’s another name for him.
He is the only one.
Seattle’s Best Auto Mechanic,
But please don’t make him panic.
He won’t say “No”,
He’s thorough but, oh,
Don’t call him all at once.

Hinda joins a
Rather exclusive clan.
4 other active grans
Are octogenarians.
And next month 3 more will join us.
We’ll give them all a chorus.
For 80 is
A milestone to mark,
And Hinda enjoys it with you.

Hey, Look Us Over

  • tune: Hey, Look Me Over

Hey, look us over, women proud and strong,
Time to hear our voices, time to hear our song,
Silent for too long – powerless as well
But now the earth is crying out
And women will respond by saying
Let’s work together – build, not destroy
Teach your children kindness, every girl and boy
‘Cause the planet is home to all of us
And that’s the song we bring
Hear the Raging Grannies Sing!

Happy Birthday Shirley 2012

  • by Laurie Rostholder
  • tune: Daisy, Daisy

Shirley, Shirley, give us your answer true,
How can we grow o-old just like you?
We want energy just like you’ve got,
And we want to be hot.
We won’t take less.
You effervesce.
We wa-ant to be like you!

Maybe Shirley you-oo will tell us all,
How you manage to completely enthrall.
Your picture’s in the papers,
From so many of your capers.
You know everyone,
You phenomenon.
We wa-ant to be like you!

You do so many ki-inds of different things,
Belly dancing, acting, of course you sing.
You took the stage in New York,
And boldly invaded their bulwark.
We can’t wait to see,
That Nor-wegian movie,
We wa-ant to be like you!

You like Doc Martin and lots of serious books,
Economics and how the bankers are crooks.
Of course you don’t have strong opinions,
Just ask all of your minions.
How do you do it?
We all bene-fit.
And Shirley we do love you!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Granny with an Attitude

  • from the E-Vine
  • Rap

I’m a Granny with an attitude and I’m a rapper too.
I have a little song I want to rap for you.
I have grave concern about the feminine form,
‘Cause the fashion world dictates emaciation’s the norm.
Paintings and movies say it wasn’t always so.
Check out Ruben’s full figured women and Marilyn Monroe.
Then along came Twiggie and the skinny look was in.
Women have been paying ever since to be thin.
We’ve got bulimia, anorexia, exercise and diet,
Money to be spent on gadgets that defy it.
Then, there’s girdles, liposuction, tummy tucks and stays
And if that’s not enough, there’s so many other ways
But, I say, whether you’re old, young, short tall, voluptuous or thin
Be proud of who you are! Don’t let those fashion gurus win!

Grannies Against War Toys

  • tune: Frosty the Snowman

We’re the Raging Grannies
And we’re asking you today
Please don’t buy destructive toys
For the kids on holidays.

We don’t like war toys
And tanks and army gear
We like peaceful and constructive games
For our grandkids we hold dear.

The violence and hatred
It really must cease
And children can learn early on
That its better to THINK PEACE

Join the Raging Grannies
In working every day
For peace on Earth, goodwill to all
And singing on our way.

Grannies Against Stuff

  • by Canadian Grannies, adapted by Karen Schneider-Chen 
  • tune: Frosty the Snowman

We’re the Raging Grannies
And we’re asking you today
To cut down on buying more stuff—
Show your kids a better way.
We don’t like landfills
Full of stuff that’s thrown away,
We like walks and talks and constructive games
To fill our grandkids’ day.

They don’t need all those presents
To fill their lives with cheer.
They really want your love and time
Throughout the coming year.
So join the Raging Grannies:
Boycott all that stuff.
Today is buy nothing day—
We all have enough.

Gaggle No More Nukes

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies.
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice–
NO MORE NUKES!

With all the money they’re spending,
Updating the nukes—it’s unending,
We just want to know
The whole world won’t blow!
NO MORE NUKES!

Nonproliferation
Is simply not enough.
We want all bombs neutered,
And an end to acting tough!

So join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies.
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE NUKES!
We really mean it!
NO MORE NUKES!
We mean precisely!
NO MORE NUKES!
We will say it very nicely—
NO MORE NUKES!!
READ OUR LIPS:
(mouth) NO MORE NUKES!

Gaggle for Peace

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies.
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice–
LET’S HAVE PEACE!

With all the money they’re spending,
Plus the dollars they’re lending,
We’re all going broke–
This isn’t a joke
LET’S HAVE PEACE!

Whether it’s Bin Laden
Or Saddam Hussein
War is not the answer
BOMBS JUST KILL AND MAIM!

So join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies.
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE WAR!
We really mean it! LET’S HAVE PEACE!
We mean precisely! LET’S HAVE PEACE!
We will say it very nicely– LETS HAVE PEACE!
READ OUR LIPS: (mouth) LETS HAVE PEACE

Gaggle Against WTO

  • tune, Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice—
NO WTO!

With the starving wages they’re paying
To workers sweating and slaving,
The owners all thrive,
Can workers survive?
NO WTO!

With world wide domination,
They’ll do the planet in.
We have got to stop them—
We must not let them win.

Sooo, join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies!
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO WTO!

We really mean it—NO WTO!

We mean precisely—NO WTO!

We will say it very nicely—NO WTO!

READ OUR LIPS! (mouth silently, No WTO!)

Gaggle Against War

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice–
NO MORE WAR!

With all the money they’re spending,
Plus the dollars they’re lending,
We’re going for broke–
This isn’t a joke–NO MORE WAR!

Whether it’s bin Laden
Or Saddam Hussein,
War is not the answer–
BOMBS JUST KILL AND MAIM!

Soooo, join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies!
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE WAR!

We really mean it–NO MORE WAR!
We mean precisely–NO MORE WAR!
We will say it very nicely–NO MORE WAR!
READ OUR LIPS! (mouth) NO MORE WAR!)

Gaggle Against Hate

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies.
We’re raising our voice–
We want a new choice–
NO MORE HATE!

Discrimination unending,
Promises that’re still pending.
To each a fair share–
We want a world where
there’s NO MORE HATE!

Whether it’s employment
Or marriage, kids, or school,
Equality’s the answer–
Justice now must rule!

So, join this gaggle of Grannies–
Get up off of your fannies.
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE HATE!
We really mean it: NO MORE HATE!
We mean precisely: NO MORE HATE!
We will say it very nicely: NO MORE HATE!
Read our lips (mouth): NO MORE HATE!

Gaggle Against Guns

  • The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993, adapted by Laurie Rostholder
  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice—
NO MORE GUNS!

The NRA likes its shooting.
Its influence is polluting.
We need to portray
A much better way.
NO MORE GUNS!

We need to solve the problems
That underlie this mess.
Poverty, despair addictions,
Are issues to address!

Soooo, join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies!
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE GUNS!

We really mean it—NO MORE GUNS!
We mean precisely—NO MORE GUNS!
We will say it very nicely—NO MORE GUNS!
READ OUR LIPS! (mouth silently, No more guns!)

Gaggle Against Greed

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice—
NO MORE GREED!

With the starving wages they’re paying
To workers sweating and slaving,
The owners all thrive,
Can workers survive?
NO MORE GREED!

We’re sick of this tradition–
Paying wages that aren’t fair.
Boycott sweatshop products
Show them you really care!

Soooo, join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies!
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE GREED!

We really mean it—NO MORE GREED!

We mean precisely—NO MORE GREED!

We will say it very nicely—NO MORE GREED!

READ OUR LIPS! (mouth silently, No more greed!)

Gaggle Against G.E.S

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice,
We want a new choice—
NO G.E.s

With all the money they’re spending,
Splicing genes unending,
They’re wrecking our food
And spoiling our mood—
NO G.E.s

With all of their gene splicing,
There is no way to know
What damage they are doing.
G.E.s have got to go!

So, join this gaggle of Grannies!
Get up off of your fannies.
We’re telling you now
We’re angry and how,
NO G.E.s

We really mean it! NO G.E.s
We mean precisely! NO G.E.s
We will say it very nicely! NO G.E.s
Read our lips! (Mouth NO G.E.s)

(The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993, adapted by Kay Thode)

Gaggle Against Foreclosures

  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies
Urging you off of your fannies
We’re raising our voice,
We want a new choice,
FORECLOSURES? NO!

With all the money they’re spending
On bank bailouts unending,
We’re losing our homes
Because of those loans,
FORECLOSURES? NO!

The banks pushed those bad mortgages
And caught us in their snare
Its time to help homeowners
And show we really care.

SOOO, join this gaggle of Grannies,
Get up off of your fannies,
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how,
FORECLOSURES? NO!

We really mean it..
We mean precisely…
We will say it very nicely…
READ OUR LIPS…

Gaggle Against Cuts

  • by Laurie Rostholder
  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice
We want a new choice—
NO MORE CUTS!

With all the money they’re spending,
On tax giveaways unending
They’re hurting the poor
Of that we are sure—
NO MORE CUTS!

Stop cutting service programs-
It’s patently unfair.
Fund needed human services
SHOW THAT YOU REALLY CARE!

Soooo, join this gaggle of Grannies.
Get up off of your fannies!
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how!
NO MORE CUTS!

We really mean it—NO MORE CUTS!

We mean precisely—NO MORE CUTS!

We will say it very nicely—NO MORE CUTS!

READ OUR LIPS! (mouth silently, No more cuts!)

Gaggle Against Coal

  • tune: Side By Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice,
We want a new choice,
NO MORE COAL!

With all the money we’re spending
On fossil fuels that’re ending
We all go broke,
The scientists spoke:
NO MORE COAL!

We need new solutions
To clean up land and air.
Stop glacier dissolutions,
And climate change despair.

So join this gaggle of Grannies,
Get up off of your fannies,
We’re telling you now,
We’re angry and how,
NO MORE COAL!
We really mean it! NO MORE COAL!
We mean precisely! NO MORE COAL!
We will say it very nicely!
Read our lips! (silently) NO MORE COAL!
(Curtsy)

Gaggle Against Caps

  • The Raging Grannies Songbook, 1993, adapted by Kay Thode
  • tune: Side by Side

Oh, we’re a gaggle of Grannies,
Urging you off of your fannies,
We’re raising our voice, we want a new choice,
REMOVE WELFARE CAPS.

With all the money they’re spending
On military hardware unending,
Behaving like saps,
With their welfare caps,
REMOVE THOSE CAPS.

Although it’s a tradition
To blame welfare for our debt,
That lie is just a fiction,
Reclaim our safety net.

Sooo, join this gaggle of Grannies,
Get up off of your fannies,
We’re telling you now, we’re angry and how,
REMOVE WELFARE CAPS.
We really mean it, REMOVE THOSE CAPS.
We mean precisely, REMOVE THOSE CAPS.
We’ll say it very nicely, REMOVE THOSE CAPS
READ OUR LIPS: (Mouth) REMOVE THOSE CAPS

Eighty-Seven Billion

  • by the Tacoma Raging Grannies
  • tune: Sixteen Tons

Eighty-seven billion and what do we get?
A lot more trouble and deeper in debt.
Dubya, don’t you ask us cuz the answer will be
We won’t sell our souls to the GOP!

We’re the Raging Grannies, now listen up!
You’re making a mess and we’ve had enough!
We’re gathering steam, it’s time for change,
So rent a U-Haul and start packing you thangs!

Now there’s an election in two thousand four.
It’s our chance to boot them out the door.
We’ve got the power and we’ve got the will,
So get out and vote the bums off the hill!

Repeat first verse

Doo Dah – Grannies

  • tune: Camptown Racetrack

Chorus:

  • We’re the Raging Grannies
    Singing our songs.
    Doo dah, doo dah.
    We’re the Raging Grannies
    Singing our songs
    All the doo dah day!

Gonna rage and roar,
Gonna stop all war.
We’re the Raging Grannies
Singing our songs
All the doo dah day!

Chorus

Gonna roar all night,
Gonna rage all day.
Together we’ll build a better world—
Let’s make a start today!

Deck the Halls (Nuclear Folly)

  • by Kay Thode

Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Do away with nuclear folly.
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Grannies in their bright apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la l
Sing about the nuclear peril!
Fa la la la la, la la la la

For your attention, we are dressed
Fa la la la la, la la la la
For peace on Earth, you might have guessed.
Fa la la la la, la la la la
We will sing out all our protest,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
’Til we end the nuclear menace!
Fa la la la la, la la la la

 

 

 

Dangerous Grans

  • tune: Lili Marlene

We might be subversive—
Throw us in the clink.
We persist in thinking
When it’s not safe to think.
We poke and we pry and then tell you
What they’d prefer that no one knew.
A geriatric menace—
We instigate dissent.

We defy their wiretaps,
We might moon their snoops,
And we shall go on meeting
If they outlaw our groups.
We’ll read and we’ll write the things we please
For we believe in liberty.
We’re dangerous insurgents—
We love the Bill of Rights.

They try to keep the lid on,
Try to shut us up.
Ridicule won’t do it,
So better call a cop.
We’ve been around and we don’t scare.
We’re here, we’re there, we’re everywhere,
Your neighbors, friends, and mothers—
We are the Raging Grans!
Your neighbors, friends and mothers—
We are the Raging Grans!

Beatles Medley

  • by Jo-Hanna Read

Long Hard Fight

  • tune: Hard Day’s Night

It’s been a long hard fight
For women standing against war.
It’s been a long hard fight
But we keep coming back for more.

And we know that we do
Our best to make it come true
We want a world at peace.
We want a world at peace.

Hey Grans

  • tune: Hey Jude

Hey grans, don’t be afraid.
You were made to go out and sing loud.
The minute you let things under your skin,
Then you begin to make us proud.

And anytime you feel the pain, hey grans, explain,
We all have the world upon our shoulders.
For well you know that it’s the time to find a rhyme
And belt it out a whole lot bolder.

All You Need Is Rage

  • tune: All You Need Is Love

All you need is rage, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh,
All you need is rage, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh,
All you need is rage, rage, lovely granny rage.

All you need is rage, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh,
All you need is rage, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh,
All you need is rage, rage, lovely granny rage,
Lovely granny rage, lovely granny rage.

We Love You

  • tune: She Loves You

We love you, grans, grans, grans
We love you, grans, grans, grans
We love you, grans, grans, grans, grans.

We all know granny love,
Is the best that we can fi-i-ind.
If we only knew the tune
And our glasses we could fi-i-ind.

We’d  sing some satire
And you know that can’t be bad.
We’d sock it to you
And you know you would be glad.

We love you, grans, grans, grans
We love you, grans, grans, grans
We love you, grans, grans, grans, grans.