Dedicated to Summer Reese, who invited me to participate in Occupy:

A faint echo of the eloquent lyrics written in 1915 by Ralph Chaplin.

Two percent on seven hundred billion since Two Thousand Eight—

But homeowners can't repay their mortgages at that low rate:

Corporations' whims are served well by their faithful nanny-state.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus:]

Ninety-nine percent together

Ninety-nine percent together

Ninety-nine percent together

Peaceful action makes us strong!

Clean-cut lawyers working for big banks and for investment firms

Wrote real property agreements couched in vague and clever terms.

In white collars and plush offices, their thoughts are filled with germs.

And the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

Then came advertisements boldly touting those "adjusted rates"

And fine print that is incomprehensible was set as bait

To deceive homeowners who most courts left to their unjust fate.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

When the laws are written just to serve the one percent on top,

They define the undefinable, the default credit swap.

Yet enforcing it's a sure thing even bankruptcy can't stop.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

"Second-highest corporate tax rate!" — politicians' screams are heard.

The effective rate of tax, though, finds no place in their loud words.

And with shelters, write-offs, pass-through credits, half the rate's assured.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

U.S. workers worked more hours than all other countries do.

U.S. corporations up and left, and with our jobs withdrew.

Still the one percent who own them wave the flag—red, white, and blue.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

The Supreme Court looks so pretty—all the Justices in gowns.

They made money look like speech in two decisions handed down.

Corporations look like people, wearing neither smile nor frown;

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

Many college students, graduates, they are put to the test:

Forced to borrow ever larger sums in hopes to do our best.

Saddled with a trillion dollars and with compound interest.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

Veterans, who did their duty of which politicians spoke,

Then come home to broken promises; and they themselves are broke.

We embrace these patriots since our democracy awoke,

For the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

Round the clock, we choose to speak on public sidewalks, parks and streets.

Though not in the way of anyone, the public must retreat.

For the grass is for the public and must look pristine and neat,

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

When the scope of things discussed about our nation's politics

Starts and stops with politicians who are in a money fix,

People's voices can't be heard over the one percent's cheap tricks.

But the movement makes us strong!

[Chorus]

When all branches of the government ignore the Bill of Rights,

So a peaceful protester might go forever out of sight,

The conditions in Guantanamo might also be your plight.

But the movement makes us strong!

Occupy free space forever

Occupy free space forever

Occupy free space forever

Peaceful action makes us strong!