No. 01 · The Presidents
George Washington
1789-1797
Washington signed Jay's Treaty in 1795, an agreement with Great Britain that “relinquished the right to U.S. neutrality on the seas” in hopes of avoiding further conflict. This treaty allowed many American ships to be seized and searched by Great Britain, who claimed any useful product they found on board. This often included British immigrants to the United States, whom they would then force to serve in the Royal Navy.
Lyrics
Am, C, G, D/F♯
George Washington, Our Founding Dad, Our Nation's Son
The first to be elected in a post-king world, but a king he did become
In 1795, he took out his quill, signed his name on Jay's Treaty
It gave up our neutrality, And let our boats be searched and seized
Britain climbed aboard and took back their old citizens
The only problem with this was, these men were now Americans
They made them servants in the royal Navy
What a royal screwing you gave thee
Can you hear their cries, Georg-y boy
First the cherry tree now this
oh, why don't you just chop down their hearts
And that's why we put you on the smallest bill.
When you hand it to the homeless, it's barely a thrill
And what's the deal with Martha
All the gold in the world couldn't get me on her
Georg-y boy
From the book, published 2009 · song & page updated
A king he did become