I wrote the chorus for this last week and drove around singing the melody and of course working the phrasing out in the shower as normal. I picked around with G, C, and D as normal. Then yesterday got Dale to make it work in time and for real. I figured it would be blues, but we tried to roll it country rock. About 60 percent of the verse content comes from my purported great-great Uncle Josiah Holland, according to my now deceased Aunt Lou. The language was pretty archaic and I updated some and changed some. Just thought I'd add some background since Rard noticed how antiquated the language was. Rard is correct about the target: congress and the band of self interested presidential candidates.
Are We Gonna Save This Country or Not?
© 2011 Jon Hanson and J.G. Holland/ Dale Crockett vocal/guitar
America is hurting, a time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands
Men whom the lust of office does not kill
We need men who possess opinions and a will
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
WE NEED TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT
WALK WITH ME LET'S GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
Give us men who have honor; men who can't be bought
Who live above the fog in public duty and private thought
Men who'll damn the demagogue's treacherous lies
Men who will lead and do more than compromise
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
WE NEED TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT
WALK WITH ME LET'S GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
The do-goooders, with their thumb-worn creeds
Make large professions though net little deeds
They mingle in selfish strife, as freedom weeps,
Our creditors rule the land while America sleeps
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
WE NEED TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT
WALK WITH ME LET'S GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
ARE WE GONNA SAVE THIS COUNTRY OR NOT?
1st draft, may do an acoustic version too.