It's Just a Mask
A duet between a mask-wearing zealot and a medical freedom fighter
Wrote this one at the height of the lockdown in 2020. The pro-mask position (sung by the male singer) is refuted by a medical freedom fighter (female singer).
The album art is inspired by the story of the Golden Calf in the Bible. Here the modern-day idolaters substitute the virus for the ancient idol.
Listen to It’s Just a Mask on Soundcloud:
Lyrics:
It’s Just a Mask
(Male vocalist) It’s just a mask
No unusual task
What’s the big deal?
So then why do you ask?
It’s just a small price
No roll of the dice
It’s not what you’d call
A big sacrifice
(Female Vocalist) The world is aflame
You set it on fire
I know you’re the seller
And we are the buyers
You say things are bad
Really quite dire
Misinformation?
Maybe you are the liar
(Male vocalist) It’s just six feet
So don’t be discrete
We’ll turn you in
If you start to cheat
It’s just forever
A noble endeavor
They’ll be no questions
If you start to get clever
(Female vocalist) All of your plans for self isolation
You keep us down on your plantation
A cancer has spread, all ‘cross the nation
Is this what you call, a grand education?
Bridge: (Male vocalist) Why don’t you listen?
The world starts to glisten
By staying inside—you’re bold!
(Feale vocalist) Why do you hide
Acting so snide?
Just doing what you’ve been told
(Male vocalist) It’s not a game
We’re seeking no fame
Using our common sense
(Female vocalist) A stab in the heart
Keeping people apart
Time now to tear down your fence
Instrumental
Repeat Bridge
(Male vocalist) It’s just your rage
So just turn the page
Why so upset
By an empty stage?
It’s just isolation
An extended vacation
No matter how long
It takes for the duration
(Female vocalist) We’ll open up—the parks and the beaches
Just let us breathe—all of God’s creatures
Do not forget for we are the teachers
Let freedom ring no matter how far it reaches
(Male vocalist) It’s just a mask
No unusual task
(Female vocalist) Yes it’s a big deal
And that’s why we should ask
Bravo! Yes it (wearing a mask and especially shaming those who don’t want to) is a very big deal. Compliance is the new tobacco. It’s a seductive, addictive compulsion that robs people of their individuality and ability to think critically.
Great song - I like the dialogue between singers. Organ in background is a nice touch.