a parody of The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, by Stephen Sondheim
Having enjoyed my parody of Send in the Clowns, a music publisher asked me if I could parody another Sondheim song. It was 1980, and Teddy Kennedy was driving everyone crazy over his inability to commit to running, or not running, for President.
The Ballad of Teddy K
Attend the tale of Teddy K.
His hair is wavy and slightly gray.
He’d be the Democrats fav’rite son
If only someone’d convince him to run.
He plays a game that few can play,
Does Teddy K.,
The younger brother of J. F.
To win support would not be hard.
His party holds him in high regard.
He has the power to take the crown
From President Carter or Governor Brown.
Relinquished on a silver tray,
To Teddy,
To Teddy K.,
The younger brother of J. F.
Raise your banner high, Teddy.
Hold it to the skies.
Be a friend to those who tend to
Idolize!
Attend the tale of Teddy K.
He won’t say yes and he won’t say nay.
He’s got the charm, he’s got the wealth,
He’s got a proposal for national health.
Then through the nose we all can pay
For Teddy,
For Teddy K.,
The younger brother of J. F.
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