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They Always Said We Had to Change the Law

by Fred Gardner

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about

Written after the raid on the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club in August, 1996. Read the details here: www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dennis-SFCBC-215.pdf

lyrics

They always said we had to change the law

They always said we had to change the law
so we tried to change the law
A hundred little Lungrens descended from on high
To confiscate the medicine God made in good supply
They said take what Eli Lilly makes and pay until you die
On your knees, Frisco...

They always said we had to change the law
so we tried to change the law
They took our friends and cuffed them for hours making threats
They called them whores and faggots the women and the vets
Basil said Have we been arrested, is it Argentina yet?
Or San Francisco?...

They always said we had to change the law
So we’re gonna change the law
November 5th, election day, Yes on 215
Compassionate use, that’s exactly what we mean
A little relief before we leave this lovely scene
San Francisco!

This is the city of Elizabeth Moore, Kayo, Jo Daly, Willie Brown,
Guang-Shing Cheng, Uncle Herb Caen God, don’t you love this town?
This is the city of Harvey Milk The body we are all part of
this is the city of St. Francis and sister this is the summer of love
Oh, San Francisco...
Oh oh oh San Francisco!

credits

released February 19, 2015
words and music: Fred Gardner
pedal steel guitar: Ned Selfe
guitar, bass: Camilo Landau
drums: Nick Fishman
production: Camilo Landau
photo was taken at Prop 215 campaign headquarters on the club's mezzanine. Lynne "Geo" Barnes was an oncology nurse at UCSF who volunteered full-time on the campaign.

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Fred Gardner Alameda, California

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