ezra pound in world war II
went to rome where he spewed
the fascist line, loud and shrew

anti-roosevelt, anti-jew

and when the war at last was done

ezra pound, he came undone
put on trial for state treason
ezra pound claimed he'd lost reason


chorus:


ezra pound lied, and so did you
you can say you were crazy -- he tried that, too
maybe a doctor would fall for that line

but i don't have time

the staff at saint elizabeth's

said ezra pound had had enough
declared insane, not up to snuff
no judge dare called his bluff


chorus


how could ezra pound write verse that sang
even as he condemned man?
how could you run out on your own

even as you built this home?
maybe god, maybe a scholar,
but not me, not a dollar

would i pay for the answer
when i could just go ask her


ezra pound in '58
was released and did emigrate
back to rome where he did wait

for the pardon that came too late

chorus


maybe god, maybe a scholar,
but not me, not a dollar

would i pay for the answer
when i could just go ask her


chorus