Hello, friends!
First off, I've got a couple of free shows coming up:
- Saturday, March 15th, 3–6pm at the Monument in Charlestown (St. Patrick's Day special)
- Sunday, April 6th, 2:30–5:30pm at Break Rock Brewing in Quincy
On a less breezy note: Sadness and anger are big emotions. Emotions are a form of energy. And when energy builds up, it needs somewhere to go, so the container holding it doesn't explode.
Thus, I have a new song for you — a protest song, fueled by fury. It's called 'Prince of Corruption.' You can listen to it for free on Bandcamp or watch the lyric video on YouTube (or below):
You surely know by now how I feel about our current president. He has committed too many sins against our country to list in one space, most recently siding with Russia and North Korea (!) while antagonizing our friends and allies in Canada and Europe, and empowering an unelected Nazi-apologist billionaire to slash federal staff and freeze already-approved funds at dozens of critical government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, USAID, the National Parks Service — even funds for cancer research.
As I wrote eight years ago, after Trump was first elected, "my very faith in humanity, in the innate goodness of most people, was deeply shaken. For the first time in my life, I felt myself doubting whether people really are good. And I realize that deep down, this might be my greatest fear: That people actually suck, and I've been wrong about them all this time - that my enduring faith in humanity is misplaced."
That fear of misplaced faith, the deep sadness and disbelief I feel grieving the country and people I love as they succumb to the cruel and petty whims of a serial sexual abuser and convicted felon who makes it clear, again and again, that he is driven by self-interest, racism, and mean-spirited grievance... it's something that still weighs heavily on me every day, and it's very much part of this protest song.
I wrote this because I had to get it out, and maybe it will prove cathartic for you, too. Here are the chords and lyrics if you'd like to play along:
Prince of Corruption
Intro: C // G // F/C // G
[C] I’ve been [G] looking for [F/C/G] something
[C] A scrap of [G] hope to [F/C/G] feed my soul
[C] It’s been [G] awhile since [F/C/G] I have been half full
I’ve been feeling so empty
Hollowed out down to my doubt
Like someone tipped me over and poured me out
[F] There’s no [G] defense or making [Em] sense
Of what has [Am] happened [G]
[F] They fly their [G] flags of hatred [Em] high
Like it’s the latest [Am] fashion [G]
[F] Heaven tell me, I’ve a [C] right to know
Why are we [G] drowning down here in the [C] undertow?
[F] Fighting so hard just to [C] stay afloat
While a [G] great white devil circles [C] down below
Can you tell me something
Mister Holier Than Thou
Where does Jesus say to cast thy neighbor out?
I’m having trouble believing
What has happened to the ones I love
Praising God ‘til the Devil called their bluff
I guess my faith was just misplaced with my delusions
I’m face to face with the disgrace of being human
Heaven tell me, I’ve a right to know
Why are we drowning down here in the undertow?
I thought we settled all this years ago
Now the old Jim Crow is back with polio
Bridge:
[F] My country, [E7] ‘tis of thee [Am] I sing in [G] elegy
[F] O say can you [E7] see what’s on the [Am] TV
We’re tipping toward [G] tyranny
Heaven tell me, I’ve a right to know…
We see the fires burning
We live in chaos, floods, and fear
And you blame our better angels with a sneer?
Now I ain’t feeling so empty
In fact I’m full — I’m full of rage
A righteous fury has taken sorrow’s place
We won’t stand by or turn our eyes from this Deconstruction
We won’t be sold to your paroled Prince of Corruption
Devil hear me I will break your spell
We will beat you back into your sleaze hotel
Whatever tricks you try to pull or sell
We’re gonna fight you to the very gates of hell
(c) 2025 by Jon Gorey, all rights reserved
