The Standardized Testing Blues
by Art
Wolinsky
(Sung to the tune of Fulsom Prison Blues)
I ain't seen no learnin' since I don't know
when,
[C7]
[G]
'Cause I'm stuck here preppin chidren for tests that I can’t
see.
[D7] [G]
But
the profits just keep buildin' for the
testing company.
[G]
Well, when I was a baby, my momma told me,
"Son,
[G]
[G7]
Your daddy is a teacher, cause the learnin's so much
fun."
[C7] [G]
So
I followed in his foot steps, I was aiming for the
sky,
[D7]
[G]
But the times they are changing. I think I'm
gonna cry.
[G]
Now congressmen and testing dudes
you’re eatin’ fancy
meals,
[G] [G7]
You’re prob'ly drinking liquor and closing major
deals.
[C7] [G]
But
the kids and I are stuck here. We're trying to break
free
[D7]
[G]
From the dictates of you experts who are too damn
blind to see.
[G]
If you freed me from this testing and the
classroom time was
mine,
[G] [G7]
You bet I'd take those children much farther down the
line,
[C7]
[G]
Far from testing prison that's where I want to
stay,
[D7]
[G]
Where the learning and the knowledge will chase the blues
away.
[G]
For all you smug law makers who think you know it
all,
[G]
[G7]
I'd like to set you all up to take a major
fall.
[C7] [G]
Well
you would learn the lesson that you really don't know
best,
[D7] [G]
If
you were forced to sit down and take your own damn
test.