The Ballad of Susette Kelo

In Kelo v. New London the Supreme Court clarified the definition of "public use," authorizing government to exercise its power to take private property (eminent domain). This song reminds students of the requirements for a proper exercise of the power while summarizing the Kelo case.

This is a "Law Lessong" - a law lesson in a song. Audio files for more law lessongs can be found here: http://sites.google.com/site/blawprof/lawlessongs(lawless...
More "Law Lessong" videos will be posted at the Legal Studies Classroom blog: http://legalstudiesclassroom.blogspot.com/

The melody is based on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" written by Robbie Robertson and originally recorded by The Band: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_They_Drove_Old_Dixie_Down.

No copyright infringement is intended. This song is offered and intended for educational use only and has no commercial value.

The Case For Eminent Domain (The Ballad of Susette Kelo)
Words by M. DeAngelis and C. DeAngelis
Tune: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (R. Robertson)

Well Susette Kelo's her name and she lived by the river Thames,
'Till New London Redevelopment came, wielding eminent domain.
Her case to the Supreme Court went, to determine, what "public use" meant.
When the decision from Justice Stevens came down, it was certain to make homeowners frown.

The case for eminent domain; The powers expanding!
The case for eminent domain; No house was left standing!
Was the - city's economic plan, sufficient public use for the "taking" to stand?

Our constitution guarantees, no taking of private properties,
Except for use publicly, and after payment of just compensation fees.
Now Susette didn't really want to move and it wasn't an issue that the money's no good.
Take what you need for the public interest, but don't take it just to give it to someone else!

The case for eminent domain; The powers expanding!
The case for eminent domain; No house was left standing!
Is it - another proper public use or a vivid example of the power's abuse?

When a depressed municipality, in search of economic vitality,
Chooses to take private property, the court will defer to this modality.
"Public use" traditionally meant, ownership by the government,
Or use by the public like an airport may be, or eradication of a condition, unhealthy.

The case for eminent domain; The powers expanding!
The case for eminent domain; No house was left standing!
Look for - legislative controls or to the ballot box to remake the goals!

The City's taken Susette's land; her house removed was rebuilt eslewhere and stands,
As a monument to plans so grand, they hardly could include the common man.
The Redevelopment Agency's gone, disbanded by a city government forlorn.
No money to the developer's been lent and nothing's been built but precedent.

The case for eminent domain; The powers expanding!
The case for eminent domain; No house was left standing!
The Court said, "Development's a certain success", but all New London's got is rubble and mess.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• legal education
• legal studies
• law songs
• law music
• eminent domain
• Kelo v. New London
• constitution
• constitutional law
• Supreme Court
• Fifth Amendment
• takings clause