From the recording EPic
I tend to play places old people congregate. They tend to like country classics. So I dug thru some of my faves of the era to see what I’d like to bring them. I came across Merle Haggard’s California Blues.
Merle Haggard’s California Blues is very similar to Waylon Jennings’ T for TX. In fact, the original version of each were written by Jimmy Rodgers. The melody, timing, chord progressions, and even keys, are identical. I’ve long wanted to combine the two songs, take favorite verses from each and gather into one. Or, combine the four, since Merle and Waylon change Jimmy’s lyrics. Or combine more, since many singers have done their own twists on this song. Copying/quoting/contorting lyrics is a standard thing in music. Been done countless ways forever.
Along the way I recalled there are numerous black singers who’ve also quoted Jimmy Rodgers. And I thought of a thing that chaps my hide: the media trying to sow dissension, build both resentment and guilt, with their lectures on ‘cultural appropriation.’ So I decided I’d write my song using lines written by black musicians (changing a word or two in their phrases), who have publicly credited Jimmy as inspiration. And, the message of my song would be directed toward the media.
1. Jim Jackson
2. Blind Willie McTell
3. Sung like Howling Wolf
4. Jimmie Rodgers
5. Mississippi John Hurt
6. Merle Haggard (and Jimmy)
7. Big Bill Broonzy
8. Tommy Johnson
*Danielle Frazier is the teenager who filmed George Floyd’s death.
Lyrics
Well T for Texas, T for Tennessee. (1)
Oh T for Texas, T for Tennessee.
And it’s T for TV, the religion wrecking society.
It's a cruel conductor, an evil engineer. (2)
It's a cruel conductor, it’s an evil (3) engineer.
They’re glorifying vengeance, And fuelin fury with our fear.
I got the propaganda blues, (4) in the ocean and in the air. (5)
I got the propaganda blues, it's in the ocean and in the air.
The nightly news, Got its tentacles everywhere.
Let me tell you something mama that you don’t know. (6)
Cops been killin people, for years but you don’t know.
Cuz it wasn’t worth the writin,’ Till Frazier forced ‘em with her phone.*
Listen to me mama, while I sing this song (6)
Rules on what you do or screw, been lies and lecture all along.
So how could a gender genre, say a DNA was ever wrong?
I got the propaganda blues, in the ocean and in the air.
I got the propaganda blues, it's in the ocean and in the air.
They’re strong armin’ change,
With finger pointin’ shame,
To make ppl second guess and scared.
Lord my bile’s rising, my flesh begins to crawl. (7)
Oh my biles rising and my flesh, I feel it crawl
Cuz the captains of our culture, are all actors after all.
Propaganda mama, O Lord, it’s killin me. (8)
Propaganda mama, doncha know it’s killin me.
They're sellin us it’s science, But every day is a different story.
Yet still you can’t believe, that you could be deceived.
I got the propaganda blues, in the ocean and in the air.
I got the propaganda blues, it's in the ocean and in the air.
They’re usin custom feed control,
Turnin yellow into gold,
And everyone is utterly ensnared.
Oh the nightly news, got it’s tentacles everywhere.