People I Despise

In life, we are likely to encounter at least one crook or a$$hole who takes advantage of us.

For me, there’s really only been a handful but the worst one was a greedy, narcissistic business consultant who I worked for for many years on the strength of a “gentlemen’s agreement”. Turns out, he decided to do what is called a Phoenix in which the company stays the same but changes its ABN or Australian Business Number.

He broke the news by telling me, matter-of-fact, that the money he owed me he didn’t owe me any more. Furthermore, he’d be open for me continuing to work for him but on reduced terms. Turns out, I was being paid on terms more more reduced than we had agreed to, anyway. It was just a tower and cesspit of lies.

One morning, it struck me that there are many of these creatures out there, just like all the evil creatures in fairytales. The Brothers Grimm et al, tapped into these characters to teach us lessons. So, in a stroke of dark reflection, I drew from my childhood story memories and crafted this dystopian tale. I just wish I’d heard this song earlier in my life!

Lyrics For People I Despise

[Verse 1]
There’s a crooked man who walks a crooked mile
With a crooked grin and a crooked smile
He’s got crooked books and a crooked deal
And a crooked heart, that will never heal

[Verse 2]
And then there was Humpty, who sat on a wall
Made promises big, then watched them all fall
His shell game was perfect, his pitch was sweet
But it’s unforgiving, down here on the street

[Pre-chorus refrain, building]
There’s no honour among thieves no more
Just cheaper tricks and an unlocked door

[Chorus]
There are butchers, there are bakers,
There are candlestick makers
There are big bad wolves,
There are evil matchmakers
There are mirrors, there are liars,
There are funeral pyres
And like blind mice and knives
We’re sharp’ning truth and cutting … through their lies

[Verse 3]
Well Little Bo Peep she lost more than her sheep
She lost your savings while you were asleep
The dish and the spoon, up and ran away
With the money you’d saved for a rainy day

[Verse 4]
Behind the mirror where the stepmums dwell
They’ve poisoned the apples, polluted the well
They tell me that blood runs thicker than wine
But some family bleeds you, one dollar at a time

[Pre-chorus refrain, building]
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put your trust back together again

[Verse 5]
The Pied Piper plays to a different tune
While he robs you blind, wearing pantaloons
But just like an emperor in his brand new clothes
You’re missing the truth everybody knows

[Verse 6]
They say a penny saved is a penny earned
But a taste of theft is a lesson learned
When the wolf comes knocking at your front door
You’ll realise trust ain’t worth much anymore

[Pre-chorus refrain, building]
When push comes to shove in the nursery
The innocent are just you and me

[Bridge]
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man
You stole from my family
You stole from my clan
Your greedy soul
And your beady eyes
They represent everything I despise

[Verse 7]
The gingerbread man said “Catch if you can”
But karma’s got a much better plan
Because all these wolves dressed in granny’s clothes
Will get found out when the daylight shows

[Pre-chorus refrain, building]
There’s no such thing as a perfect crime
Just borrowed money on borrowed time

[Bridge]
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man
You stole from my family
You stole from my clan
Your greedy soul
And your beady eyes
They represent everything I despise

Lyrics For People I Despise

Listen To People I Despise