Hear the Tribune of the Plebs singing
his famous PLEB'S TRIBUNE
SONG (sung to the tune of Strawb's Part of the Union).
The tribunes had the power to veto almost any opposition, except for
fellow tribunes (which led to plenty of in-fighting) and dictators -
who were sometimes elected simply to squash the tribunes. The dictator
Sulla even removed their powers, but these were restored by Pompey the
Great who then found them used against himself.
LYRICS
Now I’m a pleb’s tribune, empowered to impugn
I say what I think, that the senate stinks
because I am immune.
When we meet on the local hill, to secede from the senate’s will
with a hell of a shout, it’s “Out, brothers, out!”
and the consuls both look ill.
Oh, you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
because I am immune, because I am immune.
When I spy poor plebeian sods, threatened by the lictor’s rods
I set them free, and they can’t touch me
‘cos I’m sacrosanct like the gods.
And I always get my way, because I disobey
when they pass a law, on the senate floor, this is what I say:
Oh, you don’t get me “I veto!”
you don’t get me “I veto!”
you don’t get me “I veto!”
because I’m a pleb’s tribune, because I’m a pleb’s tribune.
Before the plebs elected me, I wasn’t even free
but a debtor-slave, now the money I’ve saved
by accepting bribery.
And though a lowly working man, I can ruin the patricians’ plan
they blow their lid, when “I forbid!”
like I’m the Roman superman.
Oh, you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
you don’t get me I’m a pleb’s tribune,
unless you’re a dictator, in that case, see you later!
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