After Columbine, after Virginia Tech, after Fort Hood, after Tuscon, after Aurora, after Sandy Hook, after San Bernadino, and now, after two horrifying shootings over the weekend in Orlando, I have finally learned the words I need to say.
I started writing this song after the massacre in San Bernadino last December, but I couldn’t really figure out how to finish it. The second verse came to me with startling clarity in April, on a day when gun violence had temporarily receded from the front pages. The performance here is the first time I sang the song in public, at SubCulture on April 23.
A Song About Your Gun
Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
April 18, 2016
Who’s gonna sing a song about your gun?
Who’s gonna sing a song about the way you feel protected
When you hold it in your arms when day is done?
Who’s gonna sing that song, sir?
Who’s gonna sing a song about your gun?
Who’s gonna tell the world that you feel grounded and connected
When you wrap your hands around your Remington?
Who’s gonna sing a song about your gun?
All those people at the rodeos and ranges
Putting Freedom First and nothing else above –
Surely one of them could play a couple changes
And then write a verse in praise of what you love.
Someone’s gotta think it would be fun
To sing a little song about your gun, sir.
I can’t sing a song about your gun.
I’ve got twenty-seven other jobs that I’ve neglected,
And in fact, right now I kinda gotta run,
So I can’t sing a song about your gun.
See, I’m too busy singing songs about my daughters
And the news I have to hide from them today.
I’m too tired from reading stories about slaughters
In some little town a half an hour away
By some kid who looks a little like your son,
So I can’t sing a song about your gun, sir.
I’m not interested in your justifications
Or the patriotic sermons that you preached.
Pardon me, sir, but I ran right out of patience
Sitting waiting for consensus to be reached.
So honestly, the odds are one-to-one
That I don’t give a shit about your gun, sir.
Who’s gonna sing a song about your gun?
Who’s gonna tell the world you’ve been maligned and disrespected
And you’re never understood by anyone
Who wouldn’t sing a song about your gun?
Copyright 2016 Jason Robert Brown
All rights reserved.
Comments
21 responses to “A SONG ABOUT YOUR GUN”
Thank you for sending this to your fans. After the Orlando disaster, it rings true, indeed. When will this carnage stop?
Bravo, Jason. And thank you. We still think of you fondly here in SW Michigan.
Love,
Paul and Lauren
Perfect. How beautifully, succinctly, and passionately said (and sung). If only the people who need to hear it would hear it.
Thank you for sharing this, for writing this, for doing what you do so we can share this helpless anger and despair.
Jason, Thank you for using your gift of beautifully selected lyrics and emotive melody to express what so many of us are feeling at this time and all too frequently. Gracefully done. Highest respect to you.
Jason, I was there that night, I was there the first you sang the 27 names. I had been a defender of the constitution, but not anymore. The forefathers didn’t envision this and it’s gotta stop.
Bill
Jason,
As always, you remain the master of the power of personal and finely-crafted lyrics that cut to the bone. I have been losing sleep, quite literally, for weeks, if not months, with frustration over the primaries and the issues – quite specifically, gun control and LGBT rights – connected to the election. Tonight, listening to your song was the first thing that I found comfort in. All the kind thoughts that my friends have sent me over the last few days, reminding me that my community is “not alone,” have been lovely and heartfelt. But your song tied it all together for me, as only a song can do. I would expect no less from you. Remarkable to find comfort in a song of guarded anger and utter frustration, but there you have it. Thank you for giving me a crutch to stumble along with, at least for the foreseeable future.
Michael
So very well put. Completely puts into perspective the irrational love for this object, the pointless feeling of false security those who have bought into the ammunition addiction treasure.
Amazing work Jason. Thank you for sharing. Is there any way to purchase the sheet music?
This is perfect, Jason. This is exactly what the smart, articulate, compassionate, reasonable people need to keep doing. I find I just get angry and aghast and literally cannot speak from what I feel is pure ignorance fueled by fear and anger. We need you. We need these words. Thank you!!!!!
Thank you for singing the song I would have sung if I could sing!!! Perfect!
From a long time fan, thank you.
Bravo and thank you!
Timely, necessary and beautiful – thank you for thinking and writing and singing this challenging plea!
Kudos – right on point – and thank you.
Thank you for lending your voice to this cause.
An absolutely wonderful song – I just wish we lived in a world where there was no need for a song like this.
Thanks Jason, great to hear you voice your opinion over the internet.
Catchy tune.
Thank you for this, Jason. It’s succinct and honest and everything it needs to be. I’d love if there would be an opportunity to purchase it so those of who sing and play could share it.
Weirdly, I’ve taken a side hobby of writing a political column for a friend’s Arts/Politics website and I addressed this very issue after Orlando. No spam, but if you or your people are interested:
http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2016/06/guns-sit-in-house-second-amendment/
I hope you’re well. Thanks again for this.
~t
I’ve met Mr. Brown and I’ve heard him sing and play the piano. He’s won more than one Tony for his original music. I admire what he just wrote and I hope someone out there may want to think again about keeping his or her gun. My husband served in the military and served his country for 22 years and was in two wars. He gave up his guns many years ago. He knows what guns are for and he doesn’t need them anymore.