Original lyrics to "Taxman" by George Harrison of the Beatles (1966)
(One, two, three, four, one two)
Let me tell you how it will be There’s one for you, nineteen for me ‘Cause I’m the taxman Yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five percent appear too small Be thankful I don’t take it all ‘Cause I’m the taxman Yeah, I’m the taxman
(If you drive a car car) I’ll tax the street (If you try to sit sit) I’ll tax your seat (If you get too cold cold) I’ll tax the heat (If you take a walk walk) I’ll tax your feet
Taxman!
‘Cause I’m the taxman Yeah, I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for (Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson) If you don’t want to pay some more (Ah, ah, Mr. Heath) ‘Cause I’m the taxman Yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advise for those who die (Taxman!) Declare the pennies on your eyes (Taxman!)
‘Cause I’m the taxman Yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one, but me (Taxman!)
Harrison: vocal, lead guitar Lennon: backing vocal McCartney: backing vocal, bass, lead guitar Starr: drums, tambourine, cowbell
"I Hate the Taxman" by Harrison & Thornton (2006)
The revised lyrics change the "voice" of the song from that of an obnoxious tax collector on a power trip to that of a Rothbardian tax protester:
(One, two, three, four, one two)
Let me tell you how it will be There’s none for you, its all for me ‘Cause I hate the taxman Yeah, I hate the taxman
Even five percent appears too large I’m determined to keep it all ‘Cause I hate the taxman Yeah, I hate the taxman
(If you tax my car car) I’ll take to the streets (If you tax my sit sit) I’ll kick your seat (If you tax my heat heat) I’ll knock you cold (If you tax my feet feet) I’ll kick your @#$%^&*(&^%$#$!!!
Taxman!
‘Cause I hate the taxman Yeah, I hate the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for (Ah, ah, Mr. Cheney) So don’t you try to take some more (Ah, ah, Mr. Bush) ‘Cause I hate the taxman Yeah, I hate the taxman
Now my advise for those who try (Taxman!) I’ll stick these pennies in your eyes (Taxman!)
‘Cause I hate the taxman Yeah, I hate the taxman