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“There is Nothing Like a Dame” was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the 1949 musical South Pacific, originally about American sailors longing for women – and it’s a favourite among men’s choirs, and one we’ve had our eyes on for a while. But with the furore over the appointments and behaviours of recent arrivals to the House of Lords in the UK, we decided to twist it around the issue of how Honours (once-prestigious awards for services to the state) have been exploited lately. In recent years they have been granted in unprecedented numbers and unusual ways, taking advantage of a very weak and outmoded approval system, and exploiting constitutional conventions that once relied upon integrity in office. The 2024 New Years Honours List saw a host of deserving people being celebrated for many great contributions to communities and institutions around the country. But thrown in to the mix was a load of additional names that Liz Truss had nominated (almost all donors to her campaigns or political causes, or close advisers), even though she was the shortest ever Prime Minister and among the most disastrous. You can find the story covered here: The unelected House of Lords is itself a pretty curious entity in a modern parliamentary democracy. There have also always been some controversial choices, the odd bad apple, some big scandals involving both parties (1976, 2007). But this is another sad example of how low political standards have fallen. What better way to see out 2023 and look forward to turning a corner towards a brighter and fairer future in 2024! Have a wonderful New Year, and see you with some new songs (and maybe some out-takes, though Patreons will get them first) in the coming months. ___________________________ Support us here: - PayPal to leave us a tip jar: - Patreon for ongoing support & bonuses: Find our other channels here: Follow us here: - - - - - @marshfamilysongs - ___________________________ LYRICS: We’ve got legends of the land Got the guy from Glastonbury Got a pair of rugby heroes raising funds for MND We’ve got footballers and athletes and a lot of worthy claims What else we got? Some dubious names We got artists who’ve inspired We got carers and midwives We got nurses, doctors, surgeons who are daily saving lives We got nine-year olds on crutches who have really been through hell Who else we got? You know damn well It means nothing if lackeys and cronies get included What we need is an Honours system that isn’t frequently polluted Why does Truss not feel ashamed? Nothing’s as absurd As Liz Truss getting to name Her own “Honours“ list - it’s insane She was feckless, she resigned Was as smart as she was brief A disaster for the country, but still touting her beliefs! We’re still angry when we stare at mortgage payments in disgust Who do we blame? We blame Liz Truss! Lots of things in politics are sickening but, brother… The particular way that the two recently-disgraced prime ministers have exploited the honours system with no integrity whatsoever is worse than any other Why does Truss not feel ashamed? Nothing’s as absurd As Liz Truss getting to nominate ANYONE! It’s deranged The House of Lords is quite arcane Nothing in the world Has its pedigree and name It’s not something to be defamed 59 Tory life peerages since 2020, including Charlotte Owen who no-one can explain… We all know that it ain’t right When a donor gets a gong Or advisers whose advising was so manifestly wrong Accolades should be for merit, not for charlatans and frauds They’re dumbing down The House of Lords! As in Roman times corruption Hangs around like putrid fog There’s no horse yet made a consul, But there’s “SIR” Jacob Rees-Mogg We’ve gone back to cash-for-honours, family patronage and stunts Where does it end? Sir Fabricant What have they done worth the name? Paid for drinks or champagne?! Led the Vote Leave campaign?! Or helped Liz Truss with her brain! They’ll make laws in our name Unfair expenses they claim There ain't a thing that's right with having them here Debasing those whose merits are clear A flagrant, morally bankrupt, farcical shame ___________________________ SPECIAL THANKS to our SUPER-SUPPORTIVE HOWLERS on Patreon: Alyssa Sangeeta Jacobson Memorial Foundation Andy Riches Carol Leff Cliff Hope Dave Lee David Patrao David Ryan Derrick Brown Douglas Lind Geeta & Karen Jim the Magician Grandad Lew Meredith Dicks Michael & Emily Guadagno Mike Smith Ronald Slye Simon Haslam Todd
