Protest Song

I thought this was a good time to bring out one of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite artists.

Eric Himan is a local singer-songwriter who’s music is always unique, his lyrics are insightful and his melodies are really incredible. I’ve loved his music for years and it’s been exciting to see him getting some national attention. Eric also happens to be gay, which is something he never avoids in his music, which is something I love about him.

With all of the anti-gay rhetoric going around with the Republicans ramping up for election season, I thought it was a good time to share this video.

(Warning – he drops the F-bomb.)


Here are the lyrics to the regular (non-election edition, which is what he’s singing above). I love the lines in bold below, which speak directly to my feelings on Don’t Ask, Don’t tell (which almost all of the Republican presidential candidates have said they’ll reinstate if they win).

they’ve come to tell me that hell is at my door,
how nice of them to warn me a whole life time before.
I’ve got the rest of my life til judgment day is due.
Oops..look at the time
I bet you’ve got better things to do

I was not raised the way you were
and yes I’m glad
I was born this way
get outta my face deal with it like I have
deal with it like I have

I am not a soldier, I am just an average man
living out my life the best way that I can
I’m not reporting for duty I’m not recruiting myself
joining forces that don’t want me
unless they need my help yea
unless they need my help yea

In general I am quit capable
my strength is my proof
are you afraid I’ll try to sleep every soldier in my troop
are you afraid I’ll be the hero that you are looking for
and you’d have to thank my faggot ass
for winning you your f**king war.

I was not a raised the way you were
and yes I’m glad
I was born this way get outta my face
and deal with it like I have yea

they say family values are under attack and
I agree every time I see a gay kid kicked out on his back,
how can parents be so cruel
throw you out with no remorse
if that was me I say
if that was me I’d say

I was not raised the way you were and yes I’m glad
I was born this way
sorry I’m gay
deal with it like I have
deal with it like I like I have

I love Eric. I love this song. He says so much that needs to be said on behalf of the LGBT community.