Parts of this FAQ have been superceded by the song history, which has been edited (and vetted) recently, though is focusedon the song and thus perhaps not as comprehensive as this page.
The FAQ  is currently in the process of being updated in the new system. We apologize for any inconvenience, and will be updating this page as soon as possible.

Lyrics and variations:

• There is a chorus -- "a Makisupa policeman, policeman came to my house" -- and a verse -- "Woke up in the morning, smoked a little herb. Woke up in the afternoon...{keyword}.".
• The old verse (retired; but played e.g. 4/29/87 III) was "Woke up this morning / Dioxin by my head; / Woke up in the afternoon, / Khadafi in my bed; / And I said... " (Steve Dolley and "fargnbastd")
• Keyword: The verse ends with a single word or phrase, such as "smoked the dank" (12/8/94), "dank" (7/2/95, 10/22/95, 8/16/96, and 11/23/96), "goo balls" (e.g. 8/16/97 I), "schwag" (e.g. 8/10/97), "lemon drops and some nuggs" (7/25/97), "stink, kind" (11/19/97), "skunk" (7-20-98, possibly referring to the local offering of choice, Super Skunk), "Burning Down" (possibly referencing the encore, at 8-12-98 Vernon Downs, which also might be what he said), and "University Rent-a-Cop" 11/6/98 in Madison. (Thanks to Scott D. Bernstein for a much more complete list!)
• Sometimes Trey replaces "morning" with, e.g., "4:20" (e.g. 7-2-95).
• After the verse the chorus is repeated and then the song may:
  • cycle back and be repeated a few times,
  • end as a reggae jam takes over, or
  • drop into what may be a poly-voiced vocal overlay (similar to the confusing line(s) in "Fluffhead") as the phrases "CAME to my hOUse" and "poLIce maN" blend to sound akin to "kingston house".

   

Makisupa Josh Lang reported (7/17/98) that "makisupa is a jamaican word that means 'acting stupid for no reason'." And Jon Rossum suggested (1/6/2000) "Mark is a super policeman Mahk; a supa Policeman."

Sometimes appears as a jam in other songs, e.g. during the 8-6-97 "Antelope". Jamie Lutch pointed out that Trey introduced his grandmother right before this show started, and recalled that the 6/10/95 Red Rocks "Makisupa" was dedicated to her. "Any connection here," he asked. "Maybe shes the dankest grandma around ;-)".

The New Haven, CT, band Spring-Heeled Jack cover "Makisupa Policeman" on their 1998 album. The song sounds a bit different, but has the exact same words, similar movements, and same basic style.

Thanks also to Joshua L. Wenger, Dan Hantman, Joshua Wenger (1/29/98), David Paisley, and Brian Magnuson.

"I became a policeman because I wanted to be in a business where the customer is always wrong."
-- An officer quoted by Arlene Heath