13th Floor New Song Of The Day: Tyler Childers – Long Violent History

While we were sleeping Tyler Childers snuck a new album out featuring this timely title track.

For many music fans, the highlight of last year’s concert season was John Prine’s performance at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre and show that featured an impressive opening set by Kentucky’s Tyler Childers.

Sadly, John Prine is gone, but Tyler Childers is still here and has just released a new album. You may be shocked to learn that Tyler has taken up the fiddle…but don’t be alarmed. Yes, it is a record full of old traditional fiddle tunes, but bringing up the rear is the one Childers original, and its a doozy.

Long Violent History is the name of the album and the song and there’s nothing traditional about these (very timely) lyrics:

It’s the worst that it’s been, since the last time it happened
It’s happening again right in front of our eyes.
It’s updated footage, and wild speculation
Tall tales and hearsay, and absolute lies.

Been passed off as factual, when actually the actual
Causes they’re awkwardly blocking the way.
Keeping us all from enjoying our evening
Shoving its roots through the screens in our face.

Now what would you give, if you heard my opinion
Conjecturing on matters that I ain’t never dreamed.
In all my born days, as a white boy from Hickman
Based on the way that the world’s been to me.

It’s called me belligerent, it’s took me for ignorant
But it ain’t never once made me scared just to be.
Could you imagine, just constantly worrying
Kicking, and fighting, and begging to breathe.

How many boys could they haul off this mountain
Shoot full of holes, cuffed and laid in the streets.
‘Till we come into town, in stark raving anger
Looking for answers, and armed to the teeth.

In addition to this song, Tyler has been moved to record a statement based on the circumstances of making this record and this song in particular. Please do yourself a favour and take a moment to watch it: