This was the title track from Will’s 2008 CD, Wayward Lady, released during our extended war in Iraq.
Friends warned Will that writing political songs risks losing large chunks of your audience. While slightly worried, Will decided his commitment to peace outweighed that concern, and he needed to share his feelings about the war.
He compiled a great collection of songs, mostly his own, but he also recorded a couple of tunes written by others, a rare move for him.
This remains one of my favorites from that collection.
You spend your nights in town,
Rambling all around,
You have places in half of the world.
You wink at the other parts
With a greedy little heart
Trying to be everybody’s girl.
You’re a wicked woman, but I love you.
You’ve got to stop your crooked ways.
You’re a wicked woman but I love you —
My wayward lady, U.S.A.
Your ma and your pa
Were a couple of outlaws,
But they found a new start in your eyes.
You ought to help me do my thing,
Let my guitar ring,
And stop turning your promise into lies.
You’re a wicked woman, but I love you.
You’ve got to stop your crooked ways.
You’re a wicked woman but I love you —
My wayward lady, U.S.A.You laugh at the reasons for war
You love the soldier boys
You take my money and leave me poor
Buying them their evil soldier toys.You’re a socialite, after big money,
Doing anything to make it flow.
I wish that you would stay home more, honey,
And help the homemade businesses grow.
You’re beautiful and strong
But your mind’s been taken wrong,
You lived your life lucky to be free.
You’re paranoid and wild
Like a war-torn child
Confused, and coming after me.
You’re a wicked woman, but I love you.
You’ve got to stop your crooked ways.
You’re a wicked woman but I love you —
My wayward lady, U.S.A.
Repeat chorus
Buller's back porch 