The New Folk Hero

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

• play
• pause
• min volume
• max volume

posted by limeonaire (5 comments total)

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, 2024 [1 favorite]

That bridge is so good!
posted by ignignokt at 12:27 PM on December 18, 2024 [1 favorite]

Aw thank you! Glad you liked it.
posted by limeonaire at 6:39 PM on December 18, 2024

Very catchy. Thank you!
posted by QT at 12:31 PM on January 5 [1 favorite]

this guy has jokes. Not for nothing, but one of the spookiest bits of our new horror show is that there aren't really positive digital places to share. Mefi still is. Seeing an old silly social media friend do some honest shit really lifts the spirits. Esp for you, this seems like Lennon doing Working Class Hero, sticking his tongue in his cheek and taking a healthy bite. Lots of wordplay while white knuckling the subject matter. Up. This. Folk.
posted by es_de_bah at 1:46 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]