I write a bit hesitantly this morning and with a warning before writing further. You will discover in this blog a song and song lyrics that might be offensive to some. I am neither offended by the song, singer or lyrics, though I think the singer/songwriter could have chosen a few different words to express his angst. It is, however, his song so who am I to say how he should write it? Just be warned if you haven’t heard the song already, there is coarse language included.

The coarse language of the songwriter notwithstanding, I was captivated when I first heard the song. I was captivated by the singer’s soulful and passionate performance, by the quaint and unpolished setting and by the sheer honesty of the lyrics.

I came across the song quite by accident while scrolling YouTube. I often spend some of my early morning hours scrolling YouTube as a means of catching up on the news of the previous day (isn’t it wonderful to be able to watch TV on your own schedule?). When it popped up in my feed, the song had over 3 million views in only three days or so (for those who don’t do YouTube, that’s called “viral”), so I thought “Let me see what this is.” After hearing it, I understood why it was going viral (at this writing, it has over six million views in four+ days).

The song is entitled “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and it is written and performed by a young man from Farmville, VA named Oliver Anthony (for more of his music click here). It is probably hyperbole on my part to say this song has the possibility to be a generational anti-establishment anthem in the vein of John Lennon‘s “Imagine” or Bruce Springsteen‘s “Born in the USA.” At the very least, it has the capacity to make Oliver Anthony a wealthy young man, and to earn him a big recording contract with a major record label (it’ll probably ruin his music if it does, but that’s another conversation).

For all the lyrics, you can click here, but I’ll share the ones that hit me hardest or caused me to think the most.

Livin’ in the new world with an old soul…

Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony

Does that line ever describe me! I don’t recognize the world I’m living in. No more commentary is needed. The challenge I face is to live faithfully as a disciple of Jesus in this new world, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of us living in this new world.

These rich men north of Richmond, Lord knows they all
Just wanna have total control

Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony

Yup! We know he’s talking about the folks in Washington, and no it’s not targeting one side of the aisle or the other. It’s an indictment of all that is wrong with Washington, D.C., and there is really no difference in the political parties. Well, there is one difference: the rapidity with which they desire the change to take place. That’s all I’m going to say about that! Yet, still…I pray daily for all our leaders, especially those with whom I disagree.

I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere

Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony

Quite an indictment on powerful people whose attention was not directed in the right places (click here for more on that story–I’m on thin ice posting this video, I’m certainly not touching this subject).

Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat
And the obese milkin’ welfare

Well, God, if you’re 5-foot-3 and you’re 300 pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds

Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony

Okay, so that’s funny! Of course, it’s funny because it’s true (says I as I take another bite of my fifth Golden Oreo)! The words resonate with me not only because I struggle with my weight, but also because they reflect the nature of the failed welfare state we’ve created. Some have sought to make the statement racial, but obesity knows no race or gender (have you been to the local War-Mart lately?). That we have an obesity epidemic in our nation has been well documented.

Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down

Rich Men North of Richmond, Oliver Anthony

Not only is obesity a crisis, but so is suicide, particularly among young men (see here). Yes, the problem is multi-faceted, but I have to believe that the loss of purpose among young men in our culture, and the fact that our culture tells them again and again that their masculinity is toxic must have something to do with the problem.

I believe it is past time for men of God to stand up, join together and teach a new generation of young men how to be Godly men. I have certainly failed in this regard, and I pray for strength and direction to chart a new course in being faithful to the succeeding generations of men. No offense to the women, but don’t you want Godly men sharing the journey of life with you?

My only issue with the song is that there was no hint of hopefulness in the message. As soulful as it is, it lacks any message that might uplift one to make a change and to know that life doesn’t have to always be that way. After all, followers of Jesus always have hope and we must always live as hope-filled people in a land where there seems to be no hope.

That’s enough commentary for one day and for one song. You can make your own judgment. You’ll like the song or you won’t. It will resonate with your or it won’t. I was moved by it. It proved to me again that there is power in a song.

Until next time, keep looking up…