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Lyrics and Liners
This is a type of song I’ve been wanting to write a very long time. Something with a groove, a guitar hook, and not too heavy-handed social comment. I’ve tried and abandoned writing something like this a few times in the past – just never found the right vibe. “Hey Ya’ll” was the last song written for the record. It came from a rather calculated place of wanting something mid-tempo & electric. The riff came first then I got to murmuring the two-syllable bit that became ‘Hey Ya’ll.’ The lyrics came quickly once I wrapped my head around the idea. It’s simple and repetitive but that’s a good thing, right? And it gets a point across in a way that ain’t too preachy. My late father was from western North Carolina, way down in the Smoky Mountains. “Hey Ya’ll” is me imagining a conversation with folks in that town and many others like it across the South.
Hey ya’ll … whatcha done done?
There’s gotta be more to this than God and guns
Hey ya’ll … you bought the line
While you sit there denyin’ boy the creek’s gonna rise
Hey ya’ll you’ve seen what’s going down
Can’t make no bones about it now…
Hey ya’ll … ain’t no reprieve
Better watch out for what ya don’t believe
Hey ya’ll … on the porch swing
If you wanna fly you’re gonna need both wings
Hey ya’ll you’ve seen what’s going down
Can’t make no bones about it now…
Hey ya’ll … how ‘bout instead
Of looking to the past you look up ahead
Hey ya’ll … if we reconcile
Maybe we could sit and swing awhile
Maybe we could sit and swing awhile
Hey ya’ll (x4)