The Banana Republic Turns

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Don Bananito ran the port With a crown made out of tin He taxed the fruit and closed the court Then charged us just to grin At dawn the market aunties met Beside the papaya stand They passed a note in mango jam: “Tonight, we take the land!” [Chorus] Hey! The banana republic’s turning ’round Hey! Hear the peel hit the ground Raise a bunch, pass the word, let the old boss know When the people pick the fruit, the people run the show! [Verse 2] The dockhands borrowed marching boots The schoolkids brought a drum The mayor hid beneath his desk And yelled, “I’m not at home!” The baker rolled a barricade Of bread across the square While Rosa waved a yellow flag And combed it with her hair [Chorus] Hey! The banana republic’s turning ’round Hey! Hear the peel hit the ground Raise a bunch, pass the word, let the old boss know When the people pick the fruit, the people run the show! [Bridge] No throne, no crown, no golden chair Just clean water, fair pay, and a town hall where Every voice gets room to speak And lunch on Friday—twice a week! [Brass Break] [Final Chorus] Hey! The banana republic’s turning ’round Hey! Hear the peel hit the ground Share the shade, share the crop, let the whole town know When the people pick the fruit, the people run the show! [Outro] Don Bananito swept the square Then joined the marching band He played the kazoo, missed every cue— But everybody let him stand!