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Some Greater Power

from Downer by Bet Smith

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about

This is a song inspired by the kind of Christianity that fought to keep someone like Donald Trump in power, because that power trickles down into the hands of religious groups that seek to control the minds and bodies of others.

During the Trump presidency in the United States, the worst bits of Christianity boiled to the surface. Racism, greed, oppression, and self-righteousness backed up by the bible became more perceptible than ever before in my lifetime. It bothered me. I came face-to-face with it during a trip over the border and when I got home, this song wrote itself.

I've always had a hard time with religion. While I fully embrace culture and tradition, I see the more exaggerated versions of various religions do harm to individual people, communities, and countries. If we look back in time, we see so many unjustifiable deeds – war, massacres, and subjugations – vindicated by bible verse. And it continues today. What a shame.

lyrics

All the holy rollers off the highway with that direct line to God
Twitching and vibrating every Sunday, and hell, I don’t even pray
Is this life just a trail? Are we being sized up for the great beyond?
Excuse me if I’m speaking out of turn but I think you’ve got it all wrong

You feel some greater power every time you say his name
And every day you live he is showing you the way
Well, Hallelujah just isn’t something I would say
But I’m alive anyway. Ain’t I alive anyway?

You long to have some power over me and every single thing in your sights
If you credit every choice to make to God there ain’t no-one gonna tell you it ain’t right
So he has blessed every move you ever made he’s had his eye on you this whole time
Forget those bastards lying dead in the badlands; no righteous warrior ever lost his fight

You feel some greater power every time you pray
So when it comes to war why would God get in your way?
Hallelujah is not something I would say
But I’m alive anyway. Ain’t I alive anyway?

You tell me I’ve been wasting my time, singing songs and thinking thoughts about the earth
If I won’t raise my voice up to God, then what’s the point of all these silly words?

But I feel some greater power nearly every time I play
So when it comes to rock n’ roll, why would God get in my way?
Hallelujah just isn’t something I would say
But I’m alive anyway. Ain’t I alive anyway?

credits

from Downer, released February 2, 2021
Vocals and Acoustic Guitar: Bet Smith
Electric Guitar: Rob Currie

Recorded and mixed by Rob Currie
Mastered by João Carvalho
Written by Bet Smith (Ashlea-Elizabeth Smith, SOCAN)
© Bet Smith (Ashlea-Elizabeth Smith) Pine Lake Records

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Bet Smith Gravenhurst, Ontario

Bet Smith is a Canadian alternative folk singer-songwriter who weaves environmental and socio-political philosophy into rich, reflective compositions. With a voice that is gentle and familiar, Smith offers elegant melodies locked to lyrics that are paced and precise. ... more

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