Look Who's Talking

Greetings,

This week will mark the first of three debates between the presidential candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties. Is it here where Americans will finally be able to see, hear and judge these men, each who represent very different paths for the future of the United States? Maybe and maybe not. This is an exercise in public discourse, that has been part of the American landscape since before the Constitution.  With the way the progressives and the conservatives have been talking at each other lately, I don't know what to expect. Will it be a definitive explanation of issues or a fireworks display? We shall see come Wednesday evening.

How does folk music interact with the political scene? Very well, actually. In the election of 1800, where Thomas Jefferson was in contention with Aaron Burr for the highest office, it was very similar to now. Jefferson represented the intelligentsia, the learned gentleman farmer, legal scholar, architect and the progressive ideal. In Burr, one witnessed the best of the business community and the growing real estate industry that was propelling a young nation. On my forthcoming CD, due to be released soon, I have included a song that Jefferson's political campaign used. It is titled "Jefferson and Liberty."

    "Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice. To tyrants never bend a knee.
     But join with heart and soul and voice for Jefferson and liberty!"

In the election of 1864, Abraham Lincoln's campaign had a song that went:

    "Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness, out of the wilderness, out of the wilderness.
     Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness many long years ago.
     Many long years ago, many long years ago.  
     Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness many long years ago."

This was sung to the tune of "Old Grey Mare, she ain't what she used to be."

And in more recent times, Democrats used "Happy Days are Here Again" to propel Franklin D. Roosevelt to the White House in 1932 over incumbent Herbert Hoover. Mr. Jimmy Davis of Louisiana, wrote his own theme song, "You are My Sunshine," named after his horse, Sunshine, that he rode all the way to the Governor's Mansion. Both of these songs are considered in the public domain, if not legally, at least in the minds and hearts of many.

And just twenty years ago, Bill Clinton basked in the glow of his supporters and the nation to the strains of Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" after defeating George H.W. Bush. Some might quarrel with the supposition of this song being in the folk idiom, myself included, but who knows what will be considered a folk song one hundred years from now. I wish I could ask Dan Emmet (Dance Boatman, Dance)  or Stephen Foster (Oh, Susanna) if their "pop" songs of the mid-nineteenth century would survive well into the future. I'm sure they would have hoped.

This missive may be the only time that I expound on politics and folk music, mainly because I don't want to get in a shouting match with anyone out there about what constitutes a folk song. If you think political and religious discussions are a mine field, just listen into a heated debate between the "old school" conservatives (traditional music enthusiasts) and the "brave new world" liberals ( singer-songwriters) at some post-folk festival party. Come to think of it, that is an argument that I have with myself all the time, and one I can't win.

I guess, if this year's campaign for president had a theme song, I hope it would be an all inclusive tune, one that unites us as opposed to divide us. I did write one song a while ago that reflects my feelings about where we are now as a nation. This song, "Why Do They Have To Burn," will appear on my new album and the following is the second verse and refrain:

   "There's a hunger inside everyone to be free. It's not always easy, you can't always see
    The different perspectives as they ought to be, but divergent views can be shared equally.
    We have more in common at this present time than what divides us and there is the crime.
    Unseen forces bid us do their will while they cash in and send us the bill paid
        By us all, each in turn, where we live, where we learn.
        In the end, when those words are returned, why do they have to burn?"
 
There are issues with our present political campaigns. Where is the money coming from to finance them? Will my vote be counted? How will Democrats and Republicans work together for the greater good in such a toxic political environment after the election. Maybe, instead of some new composition, what about a song like  "America the Beautiful?" What a great song! And you know the old adage, "Music can soothe the savage beast", whether elephants or donkeys.

All I really can say, is that I plan to vote. I hope you do, too! Just don't do it, too often.

Fair Winds!

Lee

Copyright September 30, 2012 by Lee Murdock
gop.gov 
democrats.org