[Verse 1] When a statute comes across a judge's desk First thing they do is give that text their best Plain meaning rule, that's where we start Reading words the way they speak to every heart (Oh yeah...) [Chorus] You gotta read between the lines But start with what's in black and white Plain meaning first, that's what they say Before you let interpretation sway (That's statutory interpretation) [Verse 2] Webster's dictionary by their side Ordinary meaning is their guide If the words are clear, no need to roam The meaning's there, just take it home (Mm-hmm...) [Bridge] But sometimes words aren't crystal clear That's when legislative history draws near Committee reports and floor debates Help us understand what legislators state (Let's dig deeper...) [Verse 3] Was it meant to fix a special case? Or make a change at a broader pace? Purpose and intent, they play their part When plain meaning tears the law apart (Listen now...) [Scatted Educational Break] (Plain meaning!) Look at the text (Legislative history!) What comes next? (Purpose!) Why'd they write it down? (Intent!) What solution did they found? [Verse 4] Canons of construction light the way Like noscitur a sociis, they say Words in a list relate somehow And expressio unius tells us now What's left out was meant to be Excluded from the statutory spree [Final Chorus] So read between the lines But start with what's in black and white If clarity's not there to see Look back at history That's how we interpret statutes Yes, that's how we read the law [Outro with Jazz Riffs] (Start with the plain meaning...) (Look for the ordinary sense...) (Check legislative intent...) (Find the purpose...) (That's how we read the law...)
