Steve Earle Releases New Single, “Mississippi It’s Time,” Profits to Go to SPLC
Plain Sense
Posted On September 13, 2015
A little over one month ago I wrote in my review of Steve Earle & the Dukes show at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, Wisconsin:
“…This time we got a real treat — a brand new protest song that they played for the second time ever. Earle noted that they plan to release the song as a single this week: “Mississippi Take It Down.” The tune proves why he is the best songwriter out there. It is a great song that tells the Governor and people of Mississippi that it is time to retire the Confederate Stars and Bars as part of their state flag. In light of the debate set for this week in the Mississippi legislature, this one is sure to garner attention and sales…”
Ever the optimist (I mean the guy’s been married 6 times for Crissakes and if that ain’t optimism I don’t know what is!) a week quickly became a month but during that time he was able to partner with the Southern Poverty Law Center, the organization that dates back to the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and continues to fight rascism and hatred, while teaching tolerance and seeking justice. The SPLC will receive all the proceeds raised by the song which can be purchased on iTunes for $1.29.
The music accompanying the original lyrics harkens back to Steve’s bluegrass work, reminiscent of songs like “Galway Girl”. The performance is top notch, as usual, from the Dukes. Eleanor Whitmore’s fiddle stands out, giving the song an authentic bluegrass feel and contributes to its hard hitting irony. I will let Mr. Earle’s original lyrics speak for them self:
Come on Mississippi, Mississippi don’t you reckon it’s time
that the flag came down, cause the world turned round
and we can’t move ahead if we’re lookin’ behind
Wanna know if you’re with me, cause I come from a long long line
of a Rebel strain but the time has changed
Mississippi don’t you reckon it’s time.
Look away Mississippi, Mississippi you’re on my mind
All the crosses burned and the lessons unlearned
Left a scar across my heart and it’s ten miles wide
Sick of sloggin’ through the history of this wounded land of mine
Still paying the cost cause the war was lost
Mississippi don’t you reckon it’s time.
I wish I was in a land that never held a soul in bondage ever
wouldn’t have to drag these chains behind
Mississippi it’s time.
What the Hell Mississippi Mississippi you’re out of your mind
Mississippi Goddamned even Alabam’ South Carolina came across the line
Dixieland will never miss me but I whistle that tune sometimes
and I’ll sing it loud when the flag comes down
Mississippi don’t you reckon it’s time.
Look away
Look away
Look away Dixieland.
Click here to read about the partnership between Mr. Earle and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
