First as Tragedy, Then as Farce Lyrics

I swear I've seen this bit before
Beat and trope, reference and metaphor

It's that gyre widening
It's the reek of revision, gone with the wind
It's Sherman not hanging enough landed citizens
So at last, Lost Cause hour can come ‘round again

Rough beast, slow thighs, predictable
At this late date, the reply is risible
Conviction's lack got us crackin' wise
And why not?
It's better to laugh than to cry

Dart-smoking clowns
Hound your house with garrotes
Your quips all resolve
At the end of their ropes
In London, Marx joked:
That's a matter of course
The first time's a tragedy
The second's a farce