Warrior Poets of Our Time.... Maybe....

I love country music and contend that it is truly the voice of the people, the folk music of our day... albeit sometimes gritty, and poorly stated and grammatically incorrect and painful to hear. But it is truthful and bare-bones and real sometimes to the point of being so poignant that it makes us turn away... or become emotional. And like Annelle in Steel Magnolias, "I know some people might think that sounds real simple and stupid, and maybe I am. But that's how I get through things like this."



And by "things like this" I mean everyday life. I admit that I cry almost daily at music - and not just country music, as my musical tastes range from country, to Broadway show tunes, to R&B, to Rap, to 80s Hair Bands, to 70s ballads, to current pop hits, to old school funk... you name it. But country songs tend to pluck at my heart strings most of all. And I'll explain here further. But before I do, let me set the stage... I am from a middle class, "Beaver Cleaver" upbringing. My house had a fenced-in backyard with dogs and a swing set and a sand box and fruit trees. My Daddy worked as a dentist and my Mama worked as the office manager in his office and was basically a stay-at-home Mama to us four children. She cooked breakfast for us every weekday morning of my life and we had devotional every morning, brushed our teeth together before heading out to the carpool to school. We ate supper together every night and our whereabouts were never a question. Phone calls were not made or taken after 9 p.m. unless it was an emergency. We were not allowed to go to parties where there were not chaperons nor were we allowed to leave the house on school nights except to go to school sanctioned practices. We were at church every time the doors opened, as my mother was the organist and my daddy was a deacon and then an elder. I and my siblings sang in the choir once we were old enough. It was never "will you go to college" but "where will you go to college." So, don't assume that I am close-minded. I am not. I grew up with opportunity galore and love and security the likes of which most people probably never know. In fact, I assumed everyone lived as I did until I was a junior in high school. Hard to believe, I know. But I was that insulated in my life.


I would love to say that my life since high school graduation - heck, since college graduation - has been that rosy. Alas, it has not. And perhaps that is why country music resonates so with me. I mean, I am college educated. In fact, I have a master's degree and a doctoral degree. And, not to slight anyone in any way... I earned those degrees by attending Georgia Southern University, driving back and forth for 15 months for the masters and 6 years for the doctoral. I painstakingly researched my dissertation and stood in front of the committee to defend. I say all of this, I guess, to stake my claim as someone who sees the deeper message in music some call stupid or unskilled. I may not be as erudite as some, but I am not an idiot, and I am educated. I have a right to be in the corner of the educated to make these claims. There, I have made this soapbox.... hah.... so, here I go....

My love and soft spot for country music runs the gamut. And I have to admit, those in this genre have such respect for those who deserve such. Parents, the elderly, those who serve our country, those who have been abused... One of the first country songs to affect me deeply, and I know you will giggle to yourselves when you read this... it's okay. I still can't believe it... is Alabama's "Roll On." When they get to the part "and when the call came in, it was Daddy on the other end, asking them if they had been singing this song..." I cannot even say the words. Honest to goodness... The only explanation I have is that I have been a Daddy's girl all of my life, and I can just see my Daddy doing just that... And don't get me started on songs like "Daddy's Hands" and "Love Without End" and "You Can Let Go Now" and others. If you've ever passed me in the road and caught me crying in the car, I can promise you that's why. :)



But "Daddy" songs by country artists, and their poignant way of saying just what fathers (and mothers) mean to us in very real and sometimes raw poetry are not the only ones that touch me deeply. The songs that speak of family and the importance of God bring me to tears as well. "Things That Matter" by Rascal Flatts brings to light exactly what Solomon speaks of in Ecclesiastes - we cannot predict the future, but we can find joy in each day, so why worry about the things that don't matter. Amen. Amen.


And tough ol' Trace Atkins singing "All I Ask for Anymore"... wow... that will bring me to tears anywhere. As will "Where Were You" by Alan Jackson.... say what you will about the steel guitar or have whatever opinion about rednecks, or country people, or whining voices. The truth in this music (and these are just a few from the top of my head today)speaks volumes. Or at least it does to me. Very rarely in other genres do we hear ballads or lyrics that bolster and respect America's Armed Forces and those who choose to fight for freedom. In songs such as "Only in America," "Iraq and I Roll," "Riding with Private Malone," "Back Where I Come From," "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue," "Arlington," "American Soldier," "Letters from Home," "Have You Forgotten," and more, the sentiments of millions are heard. And for those of us who have a hard time hearing the Star Spangled Banner in a sports arena and not become teary-eyed, listening to these songs and not crying is akin to waking up and not breathing or looking at our children and not feeling love or pride. And, as Annelle said, "I know some people may think that sounds real simple and stupid, and maybe I am...."


But I can tell you... since 2001, our country has been through some tough times, and we are resilient (I would daresay, those aligned with the "country" element being the most resilient...) and this music speaks to the common element of us all. And personally, since 2005, I, myself have been through some tough times. Those times ~ those trials, heartaches, pains ~ are turning the tide, and my life, which has always seen joy, is truly making the turn to true joy on a daily basis. But this music of the common man... this voice of truth.... will continue to speak to my soul and be the source of joy and the place I seek the warrior poets of our time.