Big thanks to NPR for spotlighting our new video for “Golden Age” today, from the forthcoming album BE HERE NOW, out on August 25 via Saddle Creek. Directed by Jason Lester and starring Nicole Laliberte (the new “Twin Peaks”), “Golden Age” takes inspiration from artist Ragnar Kjartansson's "Woman in E", and may similarly move people to tears.
“Golden Age”, written by Laura Burhenn (aka The Mynabirds), speaks to the sadness and fear gripping our nation, touching on neo-nazism and white supremacy, global warming, the border wall, anti-black, anti-muslim and anti-semitic hatred, and the way politics and digital media is dividing families and friends. Most importantly the song is about hanging on to hope, inviting all of us to stand up and fight for everything the statue of liberty represents: Freedom, justice and equality for all.
As NPR noted, "Golden Age," feels the most relevant given the recent events in Charlottesville. In fact, Laura decided to release the video for the track a week early because of the violence that unfolded. "After everything that happened in Charlottesville last week, it felt too important to wait," she says. "When I wrote the song, I worried that a line about standing up to Nazism would feel gimmicky or dated. Who knew it'd be more relevant than ever?"
Lyrics to “Golden Age”
Can you show me a good trick
Show me some magic
Can you pull the whole world
From my ear?
I hate how the best things
Keep disappearing
Like Leonard and Bowie
And the ice caps here
And we’re left with this
Ignorant bliss
When we find a good thing
We can’t hold onto it
The Golden Age
It sure was great
The sun was so pretty
We couldn’t look away
Now I can’t see my brother
My sister or mother
Through the rose-colored glasses
Of my own news feed
And the sermon I’m giving
In this new algorithm —
It’s falling on deaf ears
Cause the choir already believes
Tell me, where are our heroes
Are they stuck at the wall?
Cause we got some real villains to stop
Before they kill us all
The Golden Age
It’s ours to save
I hear the bells ringing
Are you awake?
Can you show me a your best trick
Your slick brand of magic
Your pen’s not a wand
To make us disappear
I see what you’re doing
With the Jews and the Muslims
You’re sawing us all
In half with your fake fear
My heart’s full of love
And all kinds of peace
But I think even I
Could punch a Nazi
In the face
The Golden Age
It goes away
If we stand here
With our hands up
Begging, “Don’t shoot, please!”
I’m sure Mars is nice
And I do love the moon
But this is my home
I’m not leaving anytime soon
So call if you need me
I promise I’m there
With a thermos of coffee
And cups to share
I’ll be out on my island
Until the dawn breaks
Hanging out with the night watch
My lamp raised