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More Than Spoken Words

from Tweakin' Some Twang by John Lee Sanders

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This song is for all of you "Better Angels" out there, with wings or without, whoever and wherever you are!!! We've all heard that old saying "Do As I Say, Not As I do" "Consejos vendo y para mí no tengo"
(I'm learning Spanish from my wife Maria)

Never thought I'd be writing a country song that embodied the quote of Voltaire, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I love this country and the concepts the founding fathers expressed, and hope this song will inspire a more perfect union with JUSTICE FOR ALL!!!
I wrote the concept and rough demos of this song with my friend and co-writer, Chris Caswell in the Spring of 2003, while living in Oakland, CA.

I grew in the deep south, in the 50s and 60s, in one of the most defining times in our history, in a conservative protestant church in Mississippi, Louisiana and Birmingham Alabama, which was ground Zero of the Civil rights movement. These times inspired me, not only as a musician, but also an advocate for social justice. I wrote the song partially in hopes that I could get it covered by the "Dixie Chicks" who had been banned on Country music radio for exercising their sacred rights of free speech.

The song begins with my love and influence of Black and southern Gospel music, and morphs into a mixture of traditional country and Texas Western Swing. The song features two of my favorite artists and soloists, Brent Mason on guitar, 9 time winner, Musician of the Year, Academy of Country Music, and Bruce Kaphan, Pedal steel guitar, credits with Bob Dylan, Cheryl Crow, David Byrne, Chris Isaak, and many more.

lyrics

More than Spoken words
Music and lyrics by John Lee Sanders
Lyrics by Chris Caswell
©2018 Swampmeister Music, Kazz Song Inc. ASCAP

Mister Johnson goes to church each Sunday Morning
Says it’s by the bible we will find salvation
He’s been found at the “No Tell” Motel out of town
Under Mister Jones he makes his reservation
He found a lost little lamb to take care of
That Mrs. Johnson to this day is unaware of

Do as I say, and not as I do
Do those old familiar words apply to you
Do you practice what you preach
Follow what you teach
It takes more than spoken words
More than spoken words to make it true

In the City there’s a well known politician
Said “If elected I will fight air pollution
But once he won the vote
A lie was all he ever wrote
He fought for those who made a hefty contribution
Private jets on peoples money
Payin’ off a Playboy Bunny
But folks in Louisiana know that
“you can’t drain the swamp”

Chorus

We got a right to state our feelings
Unless our feelings don’t please the majority
We’re free to speak our mind
If we do we find
We get punished just for being a minority
Be careful not to take away the right for
The very liberty we vow to fight for

Chorus

credits

from Tweakin' Some Twang, released October 30, 2018
John Lee Sanders, Lead and Backing vocals, Piano, Organ, percussion
Kevin Hayes, Drums
Bach Norwood, Upright Acoustic Bass
Bruce Kaphan, Pedal Steel Guitar
Brent Mason, Guitar

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John Lee Sanders Palos De La Frontera, Spain

Multi-instrumentalist, Composer, Saxophone, Guitar, Piano, vocalist, and Emmy nominated composer, he has evolved a complex musical gumbo, with the flavors of Americana, Rock, Gospel, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Country, classical, with a deep love of the traditions, and culture of New Orleans. ... more

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