The New Folk Hero

December 11, 2024 8:13 AM

Well, there's a new folk hero out there, as discussed elsewhere.

I couldn't resist recording a little demo based on the essay I woke up and wrote in that thread yesterday. I've seen a few songs out there already with titles like "Deny, Defend, Depose," but I haven't seen a folk song yet. This seems like classic folk-song subject matter: murder ballads, corridos, that kinda thing.

If/when it's released for real, ideally with some more interesting instrumentation, I'd do it under the moniker of my new folk/Americana band, Whispering Lake.


The New Folk Hero
Key of G/A

[VERSE 1]
G D Bm C
I always figured if I don't like the life I'm living
G Bm Em C
I might as well give something else a shot
G D
But put a man in a lot of pain
Bm C
And he might just find a way
G Bm Em C
To take a shot at someone else

[CHORUS 1]
G A C
So here's your new folk hero
G A C
Smart enough to plan it out but not to escape
G Em A
We're all one accident away from feeling the kinda pain
C D G
That spurred on the new folk hero
G Em C D

[VERSE 2]
G D Bm C
It's a testament to fortitude, or maybe decorum
G Bm Em C
That we don't just burn it all down
G D
'Cause anyone could reach this place—
Bm C
We’re scared to see the pretty face
G Bm Em C
Of a man the health-care system ground down

[CHORUS 2]
G A C
So here's your new folk hero
G A C
Smart enough to plan it out but not to escape
G Em A
We're all one accident away from feeling the kinda pain
C D G
That spurred on the new folk hero
G Em C D

[VERSE 3]
G D Bm C
It’s probably no coincidence our new folk hero thought of this
G Bm Em C
When the future looks so bleak
G D
Replace a man’s spine with screws
Bm C
And he’ll have nothing left to lose
G Bm Em C
You take away his hopes and dreams

[CHORUS 3]
G A C
So here's your new folk hero
G A C
Smart enough to plan it out but not to escape
G Em A
We're all one accident away from feeling the kinda pain
C D G
That spurred on the new folk hero
G Em C D

[BRIDGE]
A C
People tend to get upset
G A
When they realize this crushing debt
C D Em
Is all just part of the plan
A C
Behind the scenes, all the while
G A
The system’s built to keep us servile
C D Em
Make us cave to their demands
A C
The system’s built to ruin us
G A
And throw us under the bus
C D A C
Deny…defend…depose

[CHORUS 4]
G A C
Here comes your new folk hero
G A C
Smart enough to plan it out but not to escape
G Em A
We're all one accident away from feeling the kinda pain
C D G
That spurred on the new folk hero
Em

[CHORUS 5]
G A C
So here's your new folk hero
G A C
Smart enough to plan it out but not to escape
G Em A
We're all one accident away from feeling the kinda pain
C D G Em
That spurred on the new folk hero
C D G
That spurred on the new folk hero

posted by limeonaire (3 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

I did find a few more murder ballads/protest songs about it—some are on TikTok, but I found them by searching X for "murder ballad." Enjoying the subgenre right now! This would be a great prompt for song circles/workshops.
posted by limeonaire at 8:52 AM on December 11


That bridge is so good!
posted by ignignokt at 12:27 PM on December 18 [1 favorite]


Aw thank you! Glad you liked it.
posted by limeonaire at 6:39 PM on December 18


« Older Bruce went to CBGBs (to see Suicide)

You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments