I wrote this for the Prep School Songfight. I tried to create something American and folksy, imagining the guitar parts on a Dobro and a lap steel as I composed. The end result lacks Dobro-ness because I don’t own one. I also wanted to use a traditional melody, something familiar-sounding like a lot of mid-west folk music. The verses either nailed this or succeed in blatantly ripping off some song I can’t place.
NOTE: This song, remixed, remastered, and retitled Pushed Around is on Waking Up In August,
It is not a political statement of any sort.
I’ll do anything to git along.
All my shrugs and my weak-willed ways
started back in my prep school days
where I’d do anything to get along.
I took it from the old boys back at school.
I took it from the old boys back at school.
They liked me, Laur, I swear they did.
They never told me though, God Forbid.
What I’ve taken from the old boys, ah’m a fool
And when I go to get mine
I’m sure the Lord’ll say it’s truth I’ve found.
But I’m just tryin’ to get by.
There’s nothing wrong with being pushed around
It’s my place to let the good folks put me down.
Yeah it’s my place to let the good folks put me down.
All that matters is saving face.
I’m not worried, Laur, but just in case
I’ll sit back and let the good folks hold me down.
When I go to get mine
I’m sure the Lord will say it’s truth I’ve found.
I’m just tryin’ to get by.
There’s nothing wrong with being pushed around
Nothing’s wrong it’s just the whiskey talking now.
Oh my Laura, just the whiskey talkin now.
Tell ya though, between you and me,
I wish the world would just let me be.
I guess it’s just the whiskey talkin …