“Red, White and Blue” – Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Red, White and Blue” first appeared on the Vicious Cycle album by Lynyrd Skynyrd and was written by Johnny Van Zant, Donnie Van Zant, Brett Warren, and Brad Warren in 2003. It is one of my favorite songs by Skynyrd and one of my favorite songs, period. I have always loved the track and after meeting Skynyrd’s bassist at the time, Ean “Mississippi Kid” Evans, that entire album has become one of my favorite albums of all time. I will always admire Ean, and I will write about him and our friendship at another time.

The song, “Red, White and Blue,” has really resonated with me over the past few years and as I hear people insult and even mock the 4th of July holiday, it has really made me reflect on the song and its meaning. The lyrics are simple and straightforward and reflect a lot of what many Americans – especially our working class –  feel about our country. Those of us who were raised “red, white and blue” see America in a special light.

The lyrics are pure:

We don’t have no plastic L.A. Frynds,
Ain’t on the edge of no popular trend.
Ain’t never seen the inside of that magazine GQ.
We don’t care if you ‘re a lawyer, or a Texas oil man,
Or some waitress busting ass in some liquor stand.
If you got Soul
We hang out with people just like you

 My hair’s turning white,
My neck’s always been red,
My collar’s still blue,
We’ve always been here
Just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
We’ve always been,
Red, White, and Blue

 Ride our own bikes to Sturgis
We pay our own dues,
Smoking camels, drinking domestic brews
You want to know where I have been
Just look at my hands
Yeah, I’ve driven by the White House,
Spent some time in jail.
Momma cried but she still wouldn’t pay my bail.
I ain’t been no angel,
But even God, he understands.

My hair’s turning white,
My neck’s always been red,
My collar’s still blue,
We’ve always been here
Just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
We’ve always been,
Red, White, and Blue
Yeah that’s right!

My Daddy worked hard, and so have I,
Paid our taxes and gave our lives
To serve this great country
So what are they complaining about
Yeah we love our families, we love our kids
You know it is love that makes us all so rich
That’s where were at,
If they don’t like it they can just
Get the hell out!

 My hair’s turning white,
My neck’s always been red,
My collar’s still blue,
We’ve always been here
Just trying to sing the truth to you.
Yes you could say
We’ve always been,
Red, White, and Blue

 Oh, oh, red, white, and blue
Red, white, and blue
Oh, oh, red, white, and blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPmKexzbqKw

 

 There is nothing subversive about this song and no immoral meanings, just people who love America. This song is about those who will and have fought for this country. People who are not perfect but believe in freedom, and that is freedom for everyone. This song is about our working class and the working class is the backbone of this country. So, let’s be proud of America and proud of our beliefs.

Yes you could say
We’ve always been,
Red, White, and Blue

Amen.

Joseph St. John