Will T. Massey is noted for his highly personal lyrics that probe feelings, thoughts, memories, and desires. Still, in 2008, he released an album offering a full plate of political songs, Wayward Lady, U.S.A. Just as he had always worn his heart on his sleeve, Will bared his political soul to speak his Truth to Power with these songs.
Here’s one from that album that seems timely today.
The only draft I’ll adhere to
Comes in a mug or two —
I only wanna see the barroom kind.
I won’t leave my country’s soil
To kill and die for foreign oil,
I’ll be a fugitive if they try to make me mind.
You work for me, Mr. President.
I won’t fight in your event.
For those crimes, you should repent —
You work for me, Mr. President.
You can’t scare everybody.
You can’t bully everyone.
There’s more common folk than there are your kind.
There’s nothing up the street
In your circle of elite
Where our democracy is being left behind.
You work for me, Mr. President.
I won’t fight in your event.
For those crimes, you should repent —
You work for me, Mr. President.The elections remain haunted.
You’re not really who we wanted.
But a broken system’s part of your design.
You’ve made us less free.
You’re a bad employee,
Trying to scare everybody into line.
I’ll hold my radio,
I’ll hold my guitar,
I’ll hold my baby close to me
But I won’t hold a gun
Or a law over anyone
That puts their life in jeopardy.
You work for me, Mr. President.
I won’t fight in your event.
For those crimes, you should repent —
You work for me, Mr. President.repeat chorus
Buller's back porch 