Take Back the Island – Mike Delaney, FAWM25

Right at dawn we meet the group, assembling at the designated spot Need to head out early, make our way across, before it gets too hot We set this for a low-low tide, so the sandbar would be suitably exposed We kept the plans quiet, so our tactics wouldn’t be disclosed We’re gonna take back the island

We reach the other side and make our way over to the dock Need to get there before the ferry arrives, we have to beat the clock We unfurl our banner and hang it up across the ferry’s gangway When the deed is done, we take pictures and then we scurry away We’re gonna take back the island

The island was home to Native Americans; so how did the Europeans get it? They just stole it, ‘cause they wanted it, just like that, you can bet it Chickatawbut the Sachem, met with Captain Myles Standish Five years later, David Thompson had a trading post on the island, how outlandish We’re gonna take back the island

For 20 years now there’s been a Grant of Conservation Restriction We all paid for it; millions of dollars, though there’s been some friction We bought public access, but the island is seldom ever open A few Saturdays in the summer, that’s it. There should be more, we’re all hopin’ We’re gonna take back the island

And get this, the name of Thompson Island is changing For $12 million dollars, Cathleen Stone bought the name’s rearranging To the rich go the spoils, since colonial times, and before Who knows what other plans the rich have in store We’re gonna take back the island

So today we have our protest to let them know we’re still here We want to make our intentions overt and clear We want frequent public access to the island, year-round No matter what it takes, we’re gonna stand our ground We’re gonna take back the island

If we can’t get the island back by persistent protesting We’ll up the ante until they understand we aren’t jesting We won’t use force. We’ll take it back by the force of law Tie it all up in the courts until the bastards withdraw We’re gonna take back the island

So, if you see us on the news, zip-tied by the cops You’ll know that we persisted, and we’re never gonna stop We’ll be on the front line whenever our rights are under attack Come join us for a protest-walk to take the island back We’re gonna take back the island We’re gonna take back the island