Someday, I want to start a Civil Wars cover band. Their sound made me fall in love with folk and bluegrass. I particularly love their hit “Barton Hollow,” from their album of the same name – if you love a good stomp and holler, that’s the ticket. Their star did start to wane, however, with their self-titled album from 2013. The music is still on point, but there’s an edge to it that wasn’t present in Barton Hollow.
The duo, John Paul White and Joy Williams, parted ways in 2013, and both began solo careers that pretty much skyrocketed. Where Joy took the road of empowerment after the breakup, JPW’s route was a bit more morose. His album “Beulah,” released in 2016, is deeply introspective, somber, and heavy. One wonders if its autobiographical, or just his blue period as an artist.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed JP’s music post-breakup, even though I’ll love and cherish The Civil Wars forever. JP brings Civil War flavors to his music even without Joy, and the results are pretty phenomenal.
Day 6: The Martyr – John Paul White
“The Martyr” is the eighth track on JP’s album “Beulah,” amidst a sea of other equally depressing tracks (one of them is called “Hope I Die.” Yikes.) The entire album is a reflection of the darkest parts of the human soul – its heartache, its vices, and its hopes and dreams. It’s a portrait of a man who’s been driven into the ground by life and its circumstances, and it seems to have been influenced deeply by the Civil Wars breakup.
“Keep falling on your sword
“Sink down a little more”
You said it best:
“Nobody’s worth less than you”
Again, yikes. Strangely enough, “The Martyr” is very much in a major key. It’s a strange juxtaposition to the lyrics we hear.
“It’s really only fair
“You get the lion’s share
“You know the score
“No one should hurt more than you”
So, it seems like – and this is just a wild shot in the dark – our hero feels cheated, and like he got the “lion’s share” of hurt in whatever situation this is. Could it be about his musical partner deciding to go her way? Quite possibly.
These are the words I’m hearin’ in my head
The ones that I deserve and should be said
So pile it on
My back is strong
‘Cause I’m the martyr
Ok, oof. Sounds a bit self-deprecating. Part of me wonders if the major key is supposed to hint that he’s being sarcastic. “Oh yeah, put it all on me. I’m totally the one who deserves it.” Whatever way he intends it, the feelings are pretty real.
“I’m riddled with holes
“They never seem to close”
“The cross I bear, nobody put it there but me”
The third verse is accompanied by a catchy drum backbeat. It’s starting to evolve from just straight-up pain to a full-on grudge. He’s begrudgingly taking on the guilt of whatever situation went down. And how like human beings to do that. We love hanging on to things that happened years ago. I mean, I still remember mean things people said to me in high school, and still feel some level of sick satisfaction when I see them fail in some small way. Again, a very human vice.
I’ve honored those who just move on
They light it up, years gone
Well that ain’t me
Well that ain’t me
Don’t get me wrong, it’s sometimes honorable to take something on so someone else doesn’t have to bear the brunt of it. But I don’t think that’s what JP is talking about. He’s talking about hanging on to the nasty stuff and letting it turn into bitterness. That makes for an icky soul.
So I think our friend JP deserves a break. Even wildly successful people have their inner sins and struggles. And, if we’re being honest, it makes for some darn good music.
Audrey D. DeBoer 