California Über Alles

Perhaps you remember the Dead Kennedys song, California Über Alles, which skewered governor Jerry Brown*. This version, by The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, was updated for a later regime.

I'm your governor Pete Wilson, ya know
the baddest governor to ever grab the mic and go . . .
Boom! Gimme a budget and watch me hack it!
Gimme a beat and I'll show you how to jack it!
I give the rich a giant tax loophole
I leave the poor livin' in a poophole
At at time when AIDS is in a crisis
I cut health care and I raise prices
sales tax, snack tax, excise tax
information attack with a newspaper tax
hit the pocket books of working families
increase tuition at the universities
One day I'll command all'a you
even your kids are gonna pray to me in school
soon I'm gonna be the president
you might remember the last one this state sent

California Über Alles
California above all others
California Über Alles

I'm so proud to know "The Great Communicator"
Wanna be known as "The Great Incarcerator"
I'll blow environmentalists away
And I'll be the führer some day
I keep cuttin' public education
Even though we rank 45th in the nation
I've got a plan for the minorities
Send 'em to the California Youth Authorities
From San Francisco Urban Elementary
To Pelican Bay State Penitentiary
There they can work for the master race
And always wear a happy face
Close your eyes, it can't happen here
Big Brother's in a squad car comin' near
Come enjoy the surf and sun and
And keep California number one!

California Über Alles
California above all others
California Über Alles

Now it's 1992
Knock knock at your front door -- hey, guess who?!
It's the suede denim secret police
They've come to your house for your longhaired niece
Gonna take her off to a camp
'Cause she's been accused of growing hemp
Don't you worry, it's only a shower
and now for your clothes, here's a pretty flower
Gonna die on malathion gas
The serpent's egg has already been hatched
People starvin' and livin' in the streets
Because they tried to mess with me: President Pete!

California Über Alles
California above all others
California Über Alles

By J. Biafra/J. Greenway/M. Franti/M. Pistel
Copyright 1991 Beat Nigs Music (ASCAP) / 1979 Decay Music (BMI)

*Perhaps we need a new version for Attorney General Re-Governor Jerry Brown?