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Pleading the Fifth Lyrics

That night at the theatre,
An impersonator died.
Mr Booth was tried,
I just kept the truth inside.

And in the courtroom
The judge will not catch wind of this
Up there on the stand
I'll plead the fifth.
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Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

Don't know why, but this seems like it is about Lincolns assassination, they refer to him as an impersonator, I guess he is assuming the role of someone who knows that Booth was not the killer or that knows that it was an impersonator, but that is the simple meaning, knowing them, it might actually mean something, catchy sound to the song, nice opening to a CD.

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

There's an unproven theory that Booth wasn't shot by the police; a look-alike double agent, James William Boyd, was shot instead. The theory goes on to say that the government did lots of stuff to cover it up, blah, blah, but the point is that this little song is sort of like a reversal of roles or something. That an Abraham Lincoln look-alike died instead of the real dude. Phew, that was quite long and boring. Kudos to any who actually read my paraphrase of the theory. :)

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

I think that is sorta what I meant, but I don't fully understand what you said. haha.

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

Hehehe...I guess I was saying what you said, but I gave some background to it. :)

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

Okies, I found this interview with Matt T., that rather explains it:

"So then I'm trying to come up with a lyric to put over this a cappella song that I haven't even written yet and I just decided to do something kind of about a conspiracy theory about a Lincoln impersonator being assassinated rather than Lincoln and kinda throw Abe Lincoln in that category with John Lennon and Elvis and all the people that are still kind of "alive." Eh, it's just stupid. Basically, I could have just said "stupid," and that's all the answer you need. But yeah, it was fun though and I like it."

I dunno if that helps any. the full interview is at http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/RelientK2007.asp

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

This song is saying that Lincoln wasen't shot, but an impersonater of Lincoln. I want to know if this is true because what would happen to the real Lincoln? Who was barried at his gravestone? If this is true, this is one of the largest gov't coverups of all time. John Booth shot "Lincoln", or did he?

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

so that's what it was meant to mean... but i still don't understand what "pleading the fifth" means...

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

oops i meant the verse "i'll plead the fifth"

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

Pleading the fifth is talking about the fifth amendment. From Wikipedia: To "plead the Fifth" is a refusal to answer a question because the response could form self incriminating evidence.

So I guess what I see the song as saying is that Abraham Lincoln didn't die, an impersonator did. And whoever is "I" in the song knows the truth, but is "pleading the fifth" and not saying anything.

I think this is just a goofy song making fun of all the conspiracy theories people talk about in relation to Lincoln's assassination. This seems appropriate since the album title "Five Score and Seven Years Ago" is, of course, a play on Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, but also a reference to the fact that this is Relient K's fifth album (score) in seven years. Catchy song.

Cover art for Pleading the Fifth lyrics by Relient K

Definitely about Lincoln's assassination.

I had a teacher named Mr. Booth. So when I heard this song the first time I was like WAITWHAT?

 
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