Jimmy Carter Music

When something happens in the World that frustrates me, leaves me feeling upset and completely helpless, I will often turn to music as a coping mechanism. And sometimes--if I'm lucky--a new song will be the end result.

When Donald Trump started his annex-Canada campaign I was immediately enraged. Not just because it was a slap in the face to many, many decades of friendship and cooperation between our Countries, but more so, because it pulled the curtain back on just how quickly the American political system is slipping into Authoritarianism. Most notably, I am shocked at the lack of American voices speaking out against such an egregious campaign. Sensible, everyday citizens, whether they voted Trump in, or not, should be floored and enraged by his quest for Canada. This is not democracy. This is not the behavior that you preach in your Nashville songs, your Hollywood films, and your Netflix originals. This behavior is completely contrary to the image you have painted of yourselves. Land of the free? Right! I'm damn sure you don't raise your children to behave in any way, shape, or form like the orange-faced windbag you have enlisted to influence their young minds.

This song I wrote, "The Age of Memes" was inspired by the talking-singing style of singer/songwriters such as Johnny Cash ("The Man Comes Round"), and Rodney Crowell ("Highway 17") -- a style that I personally love. But this isn't the style I envisioned when I started writing this song; rather, this is just where the music took me.

The song is a call to action to sensible American people, and its message is simple: as an outsider, looking in, I see clearly a great Country devolving fast. You are fundamentally being run by a horde of wannabe Kings and Nobles. And in Trump's kingdom to come, remember this: every kingdom needs its peasants; you can't all be Nobles. You need to turn away from this man. You need to be brave and speak out against the unacceptable behavior which is destroying the fabric of your Constitution.

We--you and I--are alike. But we are also different. Most Canadians cherish our history, our heritage, and our Country, just as strongly as most of you cherish your own. My own people immigrated to Canada from Scotland and Ireland in the 1800's. Many people I grew up with in my eastern Province of Nova Scotia share this same heritage. Cape Breton, a mountainous Region of Nova Scotia has been hosting its own Highland Games since 1863. It still has people living on the Island who speak Gaelic. "Nova Scotia" is Latin for "New Scotland," and reflects the province's historical ties to Scotland. It was named by King James VI of Scotland in 1621. Nova Scotia is just one small region of our great Country -- one of many with warrior's blood running through its veins.

Where I was raised, we also have a vibrant African American population; of which many have ties to your own great Country - their ancestors having fled North under much duress via the Underground Railroad, during a time when your Country wasn't so very great at all.

Also, near my own home village, are the neighboring villages of the strong and proud Mi'kmaq people. Historically hunters and gatherers, they have been stewards of the Northeastern woodlands for over 10,000 years. They were among the first Indigenous people in North America to encounter Europeans.

Travelling west of the Maritime Provinces, you will come to Quebec, where our French brothers and sisters are often welcoming, but always independent. Quebec and Ontario combined is still occupied by the mighty Iroquois People – a family comprised of such N.A. Indian tribes as the Cayuga, Cherokee, Huron, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. These renowned warriors and hunters also played a key role in foiling and ultimately defeating your ancestors during the War of 1812.

Now, only part of the way across this vast Nation, I have just touched on some of the proud and independent people who dwell upon it. I could regale you with our feats of bravery from the WW1 trenches of Vimy Ridge, the Somme, and Ypres, to our significant accomplishments during WW2; from the Battle of the Atlantic to the beaches of Normandy. I could go into detail about the hardy farmers, loggers, and fishers of the West, to more recent additions to Canada, from places like Germany, Vietnam, Ukraine, Africa, Korea, India, and many, many more – people who came here seeking a better life. People who were tired of being pushed around.

I truly hope you are starting to get my point. We--Canada--are independent. We have no desire to become part of your Country - never have, never will. To propose this–to push this–is beyond insulting; we, who so often have had your backs; be it WW1, WW2, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan - we have supported you. During the Vietnam War over 40,000 Canadians enlisted in the U.S. army. Volunteered. Had your backs. Many dying there, for you.

I know that my message won't reach many people in the U.S.; after all, it's not a video of a jump-scared kitten, or a chubby child falling backwards into a pool of water - you know, important stuff.
But maybe, just maybe some of them will put down their iPads and handheld devices, forget their TikTok videos and Facebook clips for long enough to stand up for their friends and Neighbours!

Jimmy Carter - The Age of Memes When something happens in the World that frustrates me, leaves me feeling upset and completely helpless, I will often turn to music as a coping mechanism. An...

On August 1st I released my debut album, titled: "Spinnin Wheels". Please check it out!

https://jimmycartermusic.com/home

https://jimmycarter1.bandcamp.com/album/spinnin-wheels

Jimmy Carter