“Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony (with Lyrics)

Source: radiowv

Oliver Anthony's anthem for the working class has taken both the Internet and the world by storm. Titled “Rich Men North of Richmond,” this soulful bluegrass composition delves into the frustrations of a blue-collar individual who has grown disillusioned with the leadership in Washington.

The song passionately criticizes high taxation and lawmakers for diverting their attention away from the hardworking citizens of America to focus on “minors on an island somewhere.” This appears to be a reference to the offshore retreat where the late convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein entertained influential figures.

“Rich Men North of Richmond” also draws a stark contrast between “people in the street” who are struggling to make ends meet and “obese” Americans who are heavily reliant on welfare programs, as well as addressing the disturbing rise in suicides among young men.

“Well God, if you’re 5 foot 3 and you’re 300 pounds, taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds,” Anthony sings. “Young men are putting themselves six feet in the ground, ’cause all this damn country does is keep on kicking them down.”

Lyrics

I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away
It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is

Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul

These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond

I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat
And the obese milkin’ welfare

God, if you’re 5 foot 3 and you’re 300 pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds
Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down

Lord, it’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is

Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
Lord knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond

I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay