One of the highlights of the recent King County Democratic Reorganiztion Meeting in Seattle was a speech by King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson in which she regaled the crowd with the following rendition of a popular story rewritten for present day Democrats:
Twas the First Day of Congress –
By King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson & staff
“Twas the first day of Congress when all thru the House (and Senate)
Not a Republican was happy….They just sat and groused.
‘Cause Democrats had planned an election with care.
In hopes that a majority soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of health care FINALLY danced in their heads
And Condoleezza in her kerchif and Bush in his cap
Had just settled down for their election night nap.
When on CNN there arose such a clatter,
Bush sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to his TV he flew like a flash,
Turned up the volume and watched with a gasp.
When what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But poor Denny Hastert with a great look of fear.
‘Cause the new House Speaker was lively and noisy.
He knew in a moment it must be Pelosi.
And here in King County, victories came.
We can whistle and shout and call them by name;
Gone Steve Johnson. Gone Shabro. Gone Esser and Nixon.
Gone Finkbeiner. Gone Schmidt. Gone Roach (we were wishin’)
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
And then, in a twinkling, I heard at the door.
The prancing of a man who helped even the score.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around.
Thru the door, Frank Chopp, came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of battle scars showed on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was turned up like a bow,
And the size of his grin did certainly show.
He was happy and dancing, a right jolly old Speaker,
And I laughed when I saw him, ’cause the GOP is now weaker.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
Making each Republican look like a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, he put on clean clothes.
He sprang to his feet, to his team gave a whistle,
And to Olympia they flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight,
Thanks to you all, our country is all right. “
A special thank you to Councilwoman Julia Patterson and staff for allowing us to share this with our readers.
