Poetry · Chapter
A Rational Anthem explained
A satirical rewrite of 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee' that celebrates corruption, theft, and lawlessness as the true foundations of the nation, mocking patriotism and the hypocrisy of American governance.
What happens
A satirical rewrite of 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee' that celebrates corruption, theft, and lawlessness as the true foundations of the nation, mocking patriotism and the hypocrisy of American governance.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The entire poem is a biting political satire that inverts the patriotic anthem to expose greed, hypocrisy, and corruption in American governance.
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Celebrates theft, bribery, and mob rule as the true American way, highlighting the gap between national ideals and reality.
Key passages
“My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of felony, Of thee I sing”
My country, you are a sweet land of crime, and I sing your praises.
Opens by replacing 'liberty' with 'felony,' immediately establishing the satirical tone.
“Land where my fathers fried Young witches and applied Whips to the Quaker’s hide And made him spring.”
Land where my ancestors burned witches and whipped Quakers into submission.
References historical religious persecution in colonial America, contrasting with ideals of freedom.
“I love thy thieving bills That tap the people’s tills”
I love the laws that steal from the people's money.
Criticizes legislation that enriches the powerful at public expense.
“Let Federal employees And rings rob all they please, The whole year long.”
Let government workers and corrupt networks steal freely all year.
Attacks systemic corruption among federal officials and political rings.
“Let office-holders make Their piles and judges rake Our coin. For Jesus’ sake, Let’s all go wrong!”
Let politicians amass fortunes and judges steal our money. For heaven's sake, let everyone be corrupt!
Ends with a sarcastic plea for universal corruption, mocking the hypocrisy of religious and civic virtue.