Story Behind The Song

While looking at the cover of the Harry Smith American folk anthology the song just spewed out.

Song Description

Coment on the dogma and constraints of any well-defined musical or artistic genre

Lyrics

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans they were digging in the dirt
they know the value of a three-chord song
they know the value of a good flannel shirt

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans like acoustic guitar
they pray at the alter of Woody and Dyland
they go outside to smoke pot in their cars

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans wear boots all the time
they groove on bluegrass, cajun and country
they quote Leadbelly, Joan Baez and John Prine

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans hate the Beatles and Stones
they get off on foreign films and beat poets
they hang at coffee bars and hippy dance

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans are getting pissed at me
how dare I take the name of Townes in vain
who is this guy to speak such blasphemy

All across the land there was American folk music
folk music fans I swear I'm just like you
never cared for what's on the pop charts
why the new when you can get it used