The Oregon standoff is over, but the surreal cultural zeitgeist born from the 41-day anti-government occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge lives on.
In addition to an Ammon Bundy donut, late-night monologues and thousands of Internet memes, the showdown has inspired a satirical, Johnny Cash-esque ballad.
A group of Portland comedians called "Fit to Print" finished recording the Johnny Cash-esque "Ballad of the Malheur Patriots" on Thursday morning.
Comedians Laura Sams and Garrett Palm perform improv comedy based on news stories at Curious Comedy Theater in Northeast Portland.
"We decided to write a song about the Oregon occupiers" for a Jan. 29 show, Sams said in an email. "In fact, Garrett texted to ask if I would help him write a song. Then I wrote the chorus and sent it to him, and then the song snowballed from there."
The song was such a hit at the performance that the duo decided to record it at Portland studio Audiowells and film a video.
Sams and Palm will be singing the song live Friday at a show called Sketch Party Bingo at Curious Comedy Theater at 9:30 p.m.
The video combines a hilarious video montage of the occupiers with eagles, sandhill cranes and ducks to go along with the chorus: "Patrioooooots, Patriooooooots, Stormin' a building surrounded by ducks."
Here are the lyrics, just in case you want to sing along:
The Ballad of the Malheur Patriots
by Laura Sams and Garrett Palm
There was a band of heroes true, that fought for you and me,
Great men with guns and hearts and voices pure,
Who occupied an empty building effortlessly
In the wildlife refuge of Malheur.
Ammon Bundy led the men, like a mighty eagle flyin'
A Nevada man who knew what Oregon needs,
Rantin' bout the government, and somethin somethin about dyin'
Shoutin' words like "constitution" and "free"
Chorus
Patrioooooots, Patriooooooots,
Stormin' a building surrounded by ducks,
They didn't stand down, they vowed to stand uuuuup
Even if they didn't know for what.
The men were sure that God had sent them to this destiny,
But God didn't give them supplies.
So they sent out a list of items needed desperately.
And brave Americans heard their cries.
Spoken List:
blankets, jackets, socks
Midland radio from Walmart
Copenhagen chew
miracle whip AND mayonnaise
120 grit sandpaper
throw rugs for doorways
Clorox lysol wipes
gaming supplies
tampons, pads
razors AND safety razors
oh, and money
Chorus
Patrioooooots, Patriooooooots,
Stormin' a building surrounded by ducks,
They didn't stand down, they vowed to stand uuuuup
Even if they didn't know for what.
Verse
Courageously they re-supplied, they journeyed all the day
Toward food and comfort, they would sure prevail!
In their cars they were so brave, they went to Safeway
And bought some things that were on sale.
Back in camp, the mailmen dropped off a cardboard box.
That made the men rant on YouTube.
For in the box were dildos, not food or shirts or socks,
But gummy bags of dicks, and some lube.
Chorus
Patrioooooots, Patriooooooots,
Stormin' a building surrounded by ducks,
They didn't stand down, they vowed to stand uuuuup
Even if they didn't know for what.
— Joseph Rose
503-221-8029
jrose@oregonian.com
@josephjrose