The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen
Let me tell you a story, love is bent
To win back his wife, a Levite went
At her father’s house they found his bride
She was willing to go, prepped for the ride
Father-in-law said, “Don’t go, just yet!”
Stayed there they did, for five more sunsets
They went to Gibeah, an old man took them in
A wicked crowd showed up, stirring up a din
“Give us the stranger!” the twisted men cried
He pushes her out into the dark night
Instead of fighting for his bride’s sake
He curled up and slept, just like a snake
(Chorus)
Rape! Rape! She has a name!
Rape! Rape! No one cares for her pain
Abandoned honor, sent out with a shove
The ravens devour, killing the dove
Take a hand, or leg, a portion for your tribe
Benjamin must pay! Take this lie of a bribe
The morning sun rises to reveal death
She fell at the door, drawing her last breath
Turn a deaf ear to your wife’s screams of pain
Don’t be surprised if her body was slain
“C’mon, honey, let’s go.
We’ll be late for my show.”
Her hands clutched the doorway, her heart beat its last
At some point he realized his legacy cast
He sharpens the blade with a vengeance so grim
He takes up the knife and divides limb from limb
Twelve tokens of horror, twelve symbols of dread
To wake up a nation that sleeps with the dead!
(Chorus)
Rape! Rape! She has a name!
Rape! Rape! No one cares for her pain
Abandoned honor, sent out with a shove
The ravens devour, killing the dove
Take a hand, or leg, a portion for your tribe
Benjamin must pay! Take this lie of a bribe
“Such a thing has never been seen or done,
Not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt.
Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!”
Twelve pieces of her body to each land
Each tribe of Israel has bloody hands
The news spread like fire from Dan to Beersheba
Let us avenge the woman of Gibeah!
The trumpets cry out, civil war begins
Benjamin falters the wages of sin
A dozen pieces of life...
A nation torn apart...
A brutal call to war...
As dark as the strife.
(Judges 19)
Original Lyrics: Doug Van Pelt
Original Proof of Concept: Doug Van Pelt
Music: Doug Van Pelt / Lee Haley
Original Lead Vocal: Doug Van Pelt
Original Proof-of-Concept Guitar: Lee Haley
Musical Direction: Lee Haley
Production & Arrangement: Lee Haley
Audio Development & Editing: Lee Haley
Video Direction, Development & Editing: Lee Haley
Creation Date: June 25, 2026
Composition Ownership:
Doug Van Pelt — 50% — ASCAP
Lee Haley — 50% — BMI
Publishing: Captive Thought (ASCAP)
Publishing: Hey! Lee-Hey! Lee (BMI)
© 2026 Doug Van Pelt and Lee Haley. All Rights Reserved.
Master Recording Ownership:
Doug Van Pelt — 50%
Lee Haley — 50%
℗ 2026 Doug Van Pelt and Lee Haley
AI-Assisted Production:
Additional instrumentation and production elements were created using AI-assisted and generative production tools under human creative direction. Original lyrics, lead vocal, and overall proof of concept were provided by Doug Van Pelt. Original proof-of-concept guitar, musical direction, arrangement, production development, audio editing, and video direction/editing were provided by Lee Haley.
ALBUM-WIDE AUTHORSHIP & AI DISCLOSURE
Original lyrics written 100% by Doug Van Pelt* (except Track One - “The Heads of Samaria”)
AI-assisted tools were also used for selected instrumentation and production under the human creative and musical direction of Lee Haley. Songwriting, performance, production, and ownership credits are listed separately.
