You may need seen the video that is been circulating within the final week or two of musician Oliver Anthony singing “Wealthy Males North of Richmond”—which Radio WV is asking the “Blue Collar Tune of the 12 months.” It is an earnest, haunting tune that sounds prefer it’s within the custom of working-class songwriters like Woody Guthrie. It begins off that method, anyway, however, this promising working-class anthem sadly by the second verse turns right into a fat-shaming screed in opposition to poor individuals.
Fortunately, Billy Bragg is right here to assist this poor misguided soul who got here near a useful message of solidarity however misplaced his method. As we speak, Bragg posted a brand new tune in response to “Wealthy Males North of Richmond” and it’s, after all, the treatment we wanted. Bragg launched the tune, “Wealthy Males Incomes North of a Million” on his Fb web page:
I assume it has been every week since I first noticed a clip of Oliver Anthony singing his tune about “Wealthy Males North of Richmond.” It is brought about a couple of waves since then and each time I examine it, I hear the ghost of Woody Guthrie whispering in my ear, telling me to assist the man out. “You and me each know there’s an apparent reply to these issues he is singing about” Woody retains saying, so in the present day I sat down and wrote this response to Oliver Anthony’s tune.
He provides on his YouTube that this tune is “for individuals like him and folks such as you.” Listed here are a few of Bragg’s lyrics:
If you happen to’re promoting your soul, working all day, extra time hours for bullshit pay
Nicely, nothing’s gonna change if all you do is want you could possibly get up and it not be true
Be a part of a union, struggle for higher pay
You higher be part of a union, brother
Set up in the present day
You may see the place the issue actually lies when the union comes round
Wealthy males incomes north of one million wanna preserve the working people down
Wanna preserve the working people down
If you happen to type a union you may quickly discover that working persons are all of 1 variety
So we ain’t gonna punch down on those that want a little bit of understanding and a few solidarity
That ain’t proper, good friend
If you happen to’re struggling together with your well being and also you’re placing on the kilos
Physician provides you opiates that will help you get round
Nicely, would not or not it’s higher for folk such as you and me if drugs was sponsored and healthcare was free
Be a part of a union, struggle for higher pay
Come on a be part of a union, sister
Set up in the present day
For an precise working-class anthem, you possibly can go forward and skip Oliver Anthony’s tune and go straight to Billy Bragg’s, in my view. Take heed to the remainder of the tune right here. Take pleasure in!