The Ballad of Czolgosz

Czolgosz, working man
Born on the middle of Michigan
Woke with a thought
And away he went
To the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo
In Buffalo

Saw all of a sudden how things were run
Said "Time's-a-wasting, it's 1901"
Some men have everything
And some have none
So rise and shine
In the USA you can make your way to the head of the line

Single line, ladies and gentlemen
Line points here to meet the President of the United States
Single line to shake hands with president William McKinley

Czolgosz, quiet man
Worked on a quiet and simple plan
Strolled of a morning
All spick and span
To the Temple of Music by the Tower of Light
At the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo
In Buffalo
Saw Bill McKinley there in the sun
Heard Bill McKinley say: "Folks, have fun
Some men have everything and some have none
And that's just fine
In the USA you can work your way to the head of the line"

Big Bill, gave them a thrill
Big Bill, sold them a bill
Big Bill, who'd wanna kill a man of good will like Big Bill

Doesn't the President look marvelous?
So round and prosperous
You know what his favorite dish is?
It was on the papers: beef!
I'm told that in his spare time he enjoys collecting coins
Wanna sip?
No, thank you

Czolgosz, angry man
Said: "I will do what a poor man can"
Yes, and there's nowhere more fitting than
In the Temple of Music, by the Tower of Light
Between the fountain of abundance and the Court of Lily's
At the Great Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo
In Buffalo

Wrapped him a handkerchief 'round his gun
Said: "Nothing wrong about what I've done"
Some men have everything
And some have none
That's by design
The idea wasn't mine alone, but mine
And that's the sign

In the USA you can have your say
You can set your goals
And seize the day
You've been given the freedom to work your way to the head of the line
To the head of the line