The Ballad of the Quid Pro Quo
by @raspberry33
Skirmish: Murder Ballad (@roblyon5150)Liner Notes
#skirmish hosted by @roblyon5150 I debated about where to go with this one, and then decided that murder is never the answer to a problem. But murderous silence might be. And that, in the end, karma is Quid Pro Quo (literally: "this for that").
Lyrics
THE BALLAD OF THE QUID PRO QUO (c) 2025 raspberry33 All rights reserved
VERSE 1:
I’m so happy for you – you’ve got it all
While leaving me with nothing
The divorce is final, now I’m taking my vinyl
And getting the heck out of here
You’ve got nothing to fear, I keep repeating that
In case Alexa might be listening
And my internet searches are secured
They won’t find any evidence there
PRE-CHORUS:
But I want you to know, there’s a quid pro quo
For being so nasty
Watch out, better grow eyes in the back of your head
CHORUS:
Karma’s prescribed for ten sinful acts
The measures you’ve used will be measured back to you
When you skate away on very thin ice
Think twice – about what karma can do
VERSE 2: I’m a day late and several hundred dollars Short, and it’s not my fault I blame you, and all of your friends For the current situation
You can plead, you can cry, but The time has passed by for apologies, no doubt Do you get my drift, or do I need To spell it all out
PRECHORUS and CHORUS:
VERSE 3: Nothing so crude as a murder, I abhor violence Don’t expect a reaction beyond murderous silence You work to live, for me it’s just sport Karma will deliver a suitable retort Think twice – about what karma can do
Comments
I love the idea that we don't need to murder our adversaries, we can just leave it to Karma to intervene. Fun and yet with a great message to those who might be considering a more drastic revenge. I had a few big grins during this song. But this couplet got the LOL moment: "You’ve got nothing to fear, I keep repeating that In case Alexa might be listening"
PS As my wife is called "Karma", I hope this isn't prophetic 😁 (Carme is the Catalan take on Carmen. She often signs herself "with a K") Super take on the prompt BTW
I really like these chords, and it's so bouncy! You sound absolutely gleeful about the karmic smackdown that should be starting pretty soon. And lol about Alexa listening.
This is a very fun and upbeat murder ballad! I'm still laughing about "Alexa might be listening".
Very funny! Definitely take the vinyl! (Now I'm stuck trying to imagine what internet searches would have been made to plan this fiendish revenge.) Nice job!
This is great and a wonderfully unique on the prompt! Great book and wonderful chorus! Your upbeat energetic delivery works perfectly!
I'm a big fan of divorce anthems (thanks ABBA). This is such a fun beat and I love the synth, and the lyrics contrasting it all is amazing.
"Alexa might be listening" is the best line! Thank you so much for participating!