The Gospel According to Country Music

Title

The Gospel According to Country Music

Description

The first page of the essay "The Gospel According to Country Music" by Will D. Campbell.

Creator

Will D. Campbell (1924-2013)

Source

Will D. Campbell Papers, Historical Manuscripts, Special Collections, The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries

Date

Unknown

Rights

Copyright not evaluated.

Language

En

Type

Text

Files

The gospel according to country music by Will D. Campbell there's no place that I'd rather be than right here with my redneck, white socks and blue ribbon beer the singer at a country Tavern starts out slow and easy sizing up the audience making sure his kind of people are in the majority. The applause tells him they are. The band behind him picks up the tempo. He continues the story and loud, almost boisterous fashion. The bar made is mad, cigarette smoke hangs in the air. A cowboy is cussing the pinball <br /> <br /> The crowd cheers the singer on Period a drunk at the bar is getting rowdy and mean. Some guy on the phone is lying to his wife, telling her he'll be home soon. A semi passes outside as the 430 crowd gathers. When they are all there, the sound goes up and there is a quick interpretation of the congregation. And for the congregation.<br /> <br /> No, we don't fit in with the white collar crowd<br /> We are a little too rowdy and a little too loud<br /> But there's no place that I'd rather be right<br /> With my redneck, White Sox, and blue ribbon beer<br /> <br /> It is a good song for openers. Not the dull full, beer, drinking lyrics of late night. It is the kind that says, "we'll cry later, when we get to know each other better. Or when the hops have outdone the machismo. But at the moment, thank you, will boast and Blast and brag. We are the crane operators and Dye makers and tack welders. And a few who used to be farmers. We didn't go to college back east and we don't trust anyone who did. We don't fit that sophisticated crowd. We never will, and don't want to. This place is ours. Redneck, White Sox, and blue ribbon beer. Don't tread on us!"<br />

Citation

Will D. Campbell (1924-2013), “The Gospel According to Country Music,” Online Exhibits at Southern Miss, accessed May 12, 2026, https://usmspecialcollections.omeka.net/items/show/588.

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