It's a simple blues shuffle, led by a deceptively lively piano, that starts with Iris DeMent singing about heading down to Texas for a gig, very well aware that people can have guns. But then that lament grows and evolves, turning into a shout-out to the Chicks, an indictment of organized religion, a take-down of hatemongers, and a principled reminder that George W. Bush still sucks.
The song winds and twists, its jaunty rhythm a mixture of bittersweet, fed-up and resilient, but in the most gentle, life-affirming way. "Goin' Down to Sing in Texas" is the sound of someone who's lived a long life watching things get worse in this country but determined to keep singing. And as she points out near the end, it's not just Texas where people can carry a gun. Its message is powerful, her words strong and plain like a river that just keeps on rolling. She knows you're tired, too, but maybe a comforting melody can give you a little extra strength to fight back against the inequality and injustice we see around us.
I think this might be the best song of 2023.
