Original Faubus Fables

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with an ironic request for silence in a live setting, immediately signaling a serious message. A speaker dedicates the upcoming piece to "Faubus," labeling him an "all-American heel." This introduction sets a defiant, confrontational tone, hinting at a critique of figures in power. The initial politeness quickly gives way to sharp political commentary. A deep sense of fear and desperation permeates the early verses, as the speaker repeatedly pleads, "Oh, Lord, don't let 'em shoot us." This prayer-like refrain highlights a profound anxiety about physical violence and humiliation, explicitly naming "swastikas" and "Ku Klux Klan" as sources of terror. The central conflict emerges as a struggle against systemic hatred and the threat it poses to basic safety and dignity. The lyrics masterfully employ a call-and-response structure, turning the performance into a direct interrogation. The speaker asks, "Name me someone who's ridiculous, Dannie," prompting the response, "Governor Faubus!" This interactive element not only names the specific injustice—"He won't permit us in his schools!"—but also expands the target list to include "Bilbo, Thomas, Faubus, Russel, Rockefeller, Byrd, Eisenhower!" The inclusion of a children's counting rhyme, "Two, four, six, eight," to deliver the damning accusation, "They brainwash and teach you hate!", is particularly striking, using an innocent form to expose profound malice. These lyrics are effective because of their unflinching directness and raw emotional honesty. By naming specific figures and hate groups, the text refuses to abstract the problem, instead grounding the critique in tangible acts of oppression like school segregation and "Jim Crow plan." The blend of desperate prayer, defiant shaming, and the chillingly simple accusation of "brainwash and teach you hate" creates a powerful, unforgettable statement against injustice, making the listener feel the urgency and moral clarity of the message.