"I Put Up Tariffs" - Marsh Family adaptation of Bob Marley and the Wailers, "I Shot the Sheriff"

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In 1973, Boby Marley and the Wailers released one of their best-known reggae tracks, “I Shot the Sheriff” – an aching story about justice that tells the story of a violent encounter with the police in Jamaica, and its origin in one man’s unpleasant and unfair actions. It has a wonderful lilt and sway, though built with not that many instruments. We were obviously missing a few – including organ – but figured we’d try to play this live rather than backfill any extras, and get as near as we could. Amidst the sorting and practicing, unfortunately no one noticed Tom was not visible in the shot. So you’ve been spared his groove, though we dropped in a couple of post-cut shots to show you where he was 😊

Although most adaptations have stuck to the same themes, we’ve shifted it across to tell the story of Donald Trump’s favourite toys: tariffs, which he has already taken action on, and promised to do much more as he shakes up the world order, starting with upsetting his nearest neighbours. The consensus is that the tariffs didn’t do what he claimed they would in his first term, and that they are now actively threatening stock prices, confidence, capital expenditure, trade flows, and all out economic war with old and new blocs retaliating. It’s a scene we’ve seen before, hence the reference to the “Smoot-Hawley” act of 1930 which raised tariffs on 20,000 US imports and helped prompt a global downturn and deepen the Great Depression.

For info on tariffs and the Fed cutting the US growth forecast: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgp574lvdxo

For the downslide in business confidence: https://www.reuters.com/business/businesses-sound-alarm-trump-tariffs-prompt-consumers-cut-spending-2025-03-11/

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LYRICS:

I put up tariffs! But it didn’t work so well, you see (oh no, oh!) I put up tariffs! Now it’s screwing the economy! (ooh, ooh, ooh!)

All around, goods were flowin’ round The markets were pretty sound (yeah) One day I won the presidency Now that trade is all in jeopardy! What’s the price of an egg to me?! So I say: (oh, now, now …)

I put up tariffs! Best prepare for twenty five percent (ooh, ooh, ooh!) I cut the tariffs Who can say if they’ll be coming back again?! (ooh, ooh, ooh!)

Tariff up / down brings uncertainty For what? I don’t know! In my mind, I want more steel But I feel it should be all home grown No more imports from Ontario! (and so ...) Read it in the news!

I put up tariffs! Everywhere it’s adding new expense (ooh, ooh, ooh!) I put up tariffs! I don’t care it’s causing huge offence (Oooooh!)

Free trade used to be our way Now Smoot-Hawley’s back in town, yeah All of a sudden I spray tariffs all round Like a baby with its nappy down Firing lots and lots of stress around It’s okay … It’s the consumers who will pay!

I put up tariffs! CEOs will come and beg to me (ooh, ooh, ooh!) I put up tariffs! But not great for world diplomacy (oh, no no!)

The Mexicans act threateningly Canadians they seem crazy On my base, the impact, it soon gonna tell One day, recession’s gonna break out That day, the elbows really come out!

I.. I… I…, I put up tariffs! But I didn’t really quite foresee (yeah): They’d… they’d… (They’d put up tariffs!) So there’s nobody to blame but me!

Yeah … So … Yeah …

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