COOKIE CUTTER HOUSES / SET ALL IN A ROW

FRESHLY MOWN LAWNS / FERTILIZED TO GROW

GOD FORBID A DANDELION / EVER SHOW ITS FACE

BETTER SPRAY IT QUICK / BEFORE IT TAKES OVER THE PLACE

SPRINKLERS ON A TIMER / KEEPS IT LOOKIN GREEN

ARSENAL OF CHEMICALS / MAKES IT STAY PRISTINE

SHRUBS ARE ORNAMENTAL / WORTHLESS AS CAN BE

TRIMMED UP OH SO PRETTY / LINES ARE CUT SO CLEAN

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / IT DON’T APPEAL TO ME

I’D RATHED BUILD A HOME FOR THE BIRDS AND BEES

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / IS A WASTED OPPORTUNITY

IT DON’T DO A THING FOR ECOLOGY

IT’S A SHAME TO SEE

WALKIN’ THROUGH YOUR YARD / IT’S SILENT AS A TOMB

NO INSECTS BUZZIN’ / BIRDS WHISTLIN’ A TUNE

GROUND FEELS LIKE PLASTIC WRAP / UNDER MY BARE FEET

SEEMS A BIT LIKE ASTROTURF / BUT HEY IT LOOKS SO NEAT

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / DON’T APPEAL TO ME

I’D RATHED BUILD A HOME FOR THE BIRDS AND BEES

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / IS A WASTED OPPORTUNITY

IT DON’T DO A THING FOR ECOLOGY

IT’S A SHAME TO SEE

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR YARD / YOU MIGHT SEE A MESS

IT’S A BIT OF A BRAMBLE I CONFESS

BUT ALL OF MOTHER NATURE IS WELCOMED AT OUR DOOR

AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT LAWNS ARE USEFUL FOR

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / IT MIGHT HAVE SOME CURB APPEAL

BUT I’D RATHER BUILD A HOME FOR THE BIRDS AND BEES

YOUR MANICURED GENTRIFIED LAWN / ITS A WASTED OPPORTUNITY

IT DON’T DO A THING FOR ECOLOGY

IT’S A SHAME TO SEE

IT’S A SHAME TO SEE

"Manicured Gentrified Lawn" was written in response to sensitive areas here in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas (my home) either being over developed or experiencing gentrification. It has been frustrating to watch as native plants are ripped out and replaced with non-native trees, shrubs, and plants which displaces wildlife, not to mention the human toll that gentrification causes. Of course, this is a problem happening everywhere, not just my own backyard. I am releasing this song during Spring and especially for Earth Day as a reminder that our actions have direct consequences and we should be mindful of our ecosystem even when it comes to a bit of landscaping. Just setting aside a small portion of your yard to grow wild and limiting your use of chemicals makes a huge difference.  The birds, bees, and butterflies will thank you, and so will I!