Freedom and Justice

A Split Hickory song about two cherished values

Music: Elizabeth Alexander

Words: Elizabeth Alexander

A song from Split Hickory, a brand new musical I’m writing that’s set in Central Appalachia round where I grew up.

You can read about the progress of this work and listen to other Split Hickory songs on the official webpage! www.split-hickory.com

(Composer Note: Gary Rue’s no-holds-barred rendition of Freedom and Justice just blows me away every time.)

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Freedom and Justice

I got a brother livin’ out nowhere,
Doing what he likes to do.
People make rules but my brother he don’t care,
He’s a rebel through and through —
That man wants nothin’ but Freedom.
Nothin’ but Freedom.

My other brother wants to change the world.
Naturally he’s always right.
Marching around with mouth unfurled
Itchin’ for a straight up fight —
He says it’s all about Justice.
All about Justice.

Well let me tell you what:

“Nothin’ but freedom” leads to nothin’ but freedom.
“All about justice” makes it all about justice.
Freedom only wants to have its own way,
Justice says “You got to do what I say.”
Neither brother’s bound to budge
And so they duke it out every blessed day
That’s how they throw away
Freedom and Justice.
Justice and Freedom.

Both stubborn as the mischief, vinegar and piss,
Not listenin’ to anything but foolish pride.
Them fellas are mistaken
If they think they’ll cross a lake
By paddlin’ their boat to just one side.

“Nothin’ but freedom” leads to nothin’ but freedom.
“All about justice” makes it all about Justice.
Freedom says it’s all about “me” and “my.”
Justice never cares to even ask why.
They can stand there touching noses for a week
And they’ll never see eye to eye.
That’s how they crucify
Freedom and Justice.
Justice and Freedom.

I got a brother livin’ out nowhere,
Doing what he likes to do.
I’m just like that man ’n I swear
I’m just like his brother too.