I was listening to Brother Wease and heard snippets of the following folk/bluegrass song:

Vietnam Vet with a cardboard sign
Sitting there by the left turn line
Flag on the wheelchair flapping in the breeze
One leg missing, both hands free
No one’s paying much mind to him
The V.A. budget’s stretched so thin
And there’s more comin’ home from the Mideast war
We can’t make it here anymore
That big ol’ building was the textile mill
It fed our kids and it paid our bills
But they turned us out and they closed the doors
We can’t make it here anymore
See all those pallets piled up on the loading dock
They’re just gonna set there till they rot
‘Cause there’s nothing to ship, nothing to pack
Just busted concrete and rusted tracks
Empty storefronts around the square
There’s a needle in the gutter and glass everywhere
You don’t come down here ‘less you’re looking to score
We can’t make it here anymore
The bar’s still open but man it’s slow
The tip jar’s light and the register’s low
The bartender don’t have much to say
The regular crowd gets thinner each day
Some have maxed out all their credit cards
Some are working two jobs and living in cars
Minimum wage won’t pay for a roof, won’t pay for a drink
If you gotta have proof just try it yourself Mr. CEO
See how far 5.15 an hour will…

Then the song abruptly ended. Brother Wease had to move on to the next segment. I pulled over the side of the road and jotted down the title and singer:

James Mc Murtry, “We Can’t Make it Here Anymore.”

The song was poetic and yet hard hitting. Expressing how many of us feel about the direction of our country. I did a google search and came across this video compilation of the song meshed with images. Simply amazing.

I plan on buying the cd for myself and also my politically minded friends. Check out James’ artist page.

We as progressives must support artists who buck the mainstream and perform songs that are driven by a purpose beyond greed and fame.

James, you now have a fan for life.