All In A Day's Work

I first heard it in a Terry Pratchett book, "A lie can run around the world before the truth has got his boots on." Knowing the author's work, I figured that there was an even chance that this was a famous quote that he'd given the Pratchett twist. So I Googled it to find out more. There seemed to be debate about who coined the original phrase ('A lie can run around the world six times while the truth is still trying to put on its pants') with some attributing it to Mark Twain and some to James Watt. I guess it's kind of ironic that I can't be bothered to dig deeper and try and find out the truth about who actually said it first. Anyhow, the fact that Pratchett re-worked is good enough for me.

All In A Day's Work

There's a prowler in the streets,

with one piercing, beautiful eye.

Doing the devil's work,

shrouded in a hood of lies.

Weaving a wicked web,

with a slick and silver tongue,

appearing everywhere at once,

leaving behind the siren songs he'd sung.

When he's finished working

left all without doubt,

debate must begin,

time for The Truth to come out.

Truth straps on his boots,

laces them up tight.

It's going to be a long day,

trying to make wrongs right.

He's used to being left out in the cold,

having doors slammed in his face.

People afraid that he might shake,

the foundations on which their faith is based.

But he's not here to take sides,

or tell you what to do.

Just give cold hard facts,

then leave the rest up to you.

Ignore him at your peril,

doing as you will,

but beware of false idols,

they charge a hefty bill...