Keep The Mask
On The Lone Ranger

In 1979 Clayton Moore was fighting another type of battle. This time the "bad guys" were those that were trying to keep him from wearing a mask during personal appearances as The Lone Ranger.
A new Lone Ranger movie was coming out and Clayton was not asked to be a part of it. Producers of the new movie thought it would be too confusing having Clayton out making appearances as The Lone Ranger and a "new" Lone Ranger on the big screen.
Clayton was taken to court and forced to give up his ability to wear the mask.
However, no one counted on the legions of Clayton Moore fans and the size of the protest they would wage on his behalf.
A young singer-songwriter named John T. Douglas even went so far as to write and record a song called "Keep The Mask On The Lone Ranger." It was recorded in San Diego and released on the Meredian Records label.
While that record has gone on to the great vinyl graveyard in the sky, I thought you might like to see the lyrics.

It's plain to see our laws keep getting stranger everyday. The courts won't rest until they've taken all our rights away. Ain't nothing sacred anymore and everyone's in danger, when some fool thinks he can take the mask off the Lone Ranger.

Now I'm not one to criticize the way our courts are run, and I don't complain about the harm some liberals have done. But this time they've gone one step too far, they're hitting close to home. We've got to let them know that the Lone Ranger's not alone.

So come on everyone, let's get behind our Lone Ranger. He's fighting bad guys once again and his career's in danger. They're trying to take his mask away and give it to a stranger. So let's do all we can to Keep The Mask On The Lone Ranger.

For over thirty years Clayton's lived up to the task. Now some judge has decided he's not fit to wear that mask. Well, it don't make no difference what that judge might have to say. Ain't nothing gonna make it right to take that mask away.

So come on everyone, let's get behind our Lone Ranger. He's fighting bad guys once again and his career's in danger. They're trying to take his mask away and give it to a stranger. So let's do all we can to Keep The Mask On The Lone Ranger.

Our courts are all mixed up about just who the bad guys are. Or maybe they don't know that the Lone Ranger wears a star. I guess it's up to you and me to see justice gets done. 'Cause if they take his mask away they're hurting everyone.

So come on everyone, let's get behind our Lone Ranger. He's fighting bad guys once again and his career's in danger. They're trying to take his mask away and give it to a stranger. So let's do all we can to Keep The Mask On The Lone Ranger.


Copyright 1979 John T. Douglas
Nova Music Company, Inc.