She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Hiway 9
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna fulfill scripture in the holy land
Between the tigris and euphrates it's a lot like hell
Go on and liberate my people and their o-i-l
Get your big trucks rollin down hiway 9
Put on the armor it's party time
Gonna dance with the devil of our own design
So the little man gathered all his chickenhawks in
And the neo-cons and his daddy's kin
They had their own clear channel and a hell of a spin
And a white man hidden in a black man's skin
Big trucks rollin down hiway 9
Pulverize the puppet it's payback time
Whose tax dollar is it yours and mine
Keeps the big trucks rollin down hiway 9
Well we got caught sleeping at the sentry post
Now we're standing toe to toe with what we feared the most
That old father and his son and the unheavenly host
We gotta do what we can don't give up the ghost
Get the big trucks rollin down hiway 9
With food and water and an internet line
Run to the polls when it comes the time
'cause the big truck's rollin down hiway 9
Eliza Gilkyson's song "Hiway 9" is a powerful political commentary on America's foreign policy, particularly its engagement in Iraq. The lyrics are written from a critical standpoint, highlighting the hypocrisy and misguided nature of the war. The opening lines, "Well the white god said to the little man / We're gonna fulfill scripture in the holy land," refer to the use of religion to justify the war in Iraq. The idea that the United States is fulfilling a divine prophecy is a common argument used by those in favor of the war. The lyrics suggest that this justification is misguided and that it has led to disaster.
The chorus, "Get your big trucks rollin down hiway 9 / Put on the armor it's party time / Gonna dance with the devil of our own design / Get your big trucks rollin down hiway 9," refers to the military action taken in Iraq by the United States. The use of the phrase "party time" in the lyrics is particularly poignant considering the human cost of the war. It suggests that the decision to go to war was taken lightly and without fully considering the consequences. The line "Gonna dance with the devil of our own design" highlights the fact that the war has resulted in a significant loss of life and destruction that was largely avoidable.
The final verse, "Well we got caught sleeping at the sentry post / Now we're standing toe to toe with what we feared the most / That old father and his son and the unheavenly host / We gotta do what we can don't give up the ghost," reflects on the consequences of the war. The lyrics highlight the fact that the United States has become embroiled in a conflict that it was ill-prepared for. The reference to "that old father and his son" is a reference to Saddam Hussein and his sons, who were the leaders of Iraq at the time of the American invasion. The final line, "We gotta do what we can don't give up the ghost," suggests that despite the damage caused by the war, there is still hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the white god said to the little man
Refers to the US government, personified as a white god, issuing commands to a subservient entity who obeys without question.
We're gonna fulfill scripture in the holy land
The government's agenda is driven by religious and political motives, with a focus on 'fulfilling prophecy' in the Middle East.
Between the tigris and euphrates it's a lot like hell
Suggests the geographical region where the US is conducting military operations, characterized by war and destruction, is a 'hellish' place to be.
Go on and liberate my people and their o-i-l
The US government is using the guise of 'liberation' to justify stealing oil resources from the countries it is invading.
Get your big trucks rollin down hiway 9
Calls for a military convoy to head toward the Middle East, symbolizing the war machine that dehumanizes people and destroys lives.
Put on the armor it's party time
The act of going to war and killing people is framed as a celebration or a reason for enjoyment and entertainment.
Gonna dance with the devil of our own design
The US is aware of its role in creating chaos and violence in the Middle East, but continues to partake in it anyway.
So the little man gathered all his chickenhawks in
Relates to the US government using 'chickenhawks,' or those who advocate for war without personally fighting in it, to advance its own agenda.
And the neo-cons and his daddy's kin
Refers to the neo-conservative political movement in the US and the government's ties to wealthy, powerful families that influence policy.
They had their own clear channel and a hell of a spin
The US government has its own propaganda machine and messaging, aimed at promoting the war and hiding its destructive nature.
And a white man hidden in a black man's skin
Could refer to former President Barack Obama, who was seen as being more progressive and accepting of different cultures, but is still part of the established power structure.
Pulverize the puppet it's payback time
The US has blamed other countries for its own problems, and sees revenge as a motive for attacking them and installing a new, more compliant regime.
Whose tax dollar is it yours and mine
Points out the fact that the money used to fund the war comes from the taxpayers, who may not even agree with or support the government's policies.
Keeps the big trucks rollin down hiway 9
The military is an endless machine that needs continuous funding and support, and is perpetuated by those in power to maintain their own control.
Well we got caught sleeping at the sentry post
Refers to the US being unprepared and vulnerable to attacks because of its own complacency and lack of awareness.
Now we're standing toe to toe with what we feared the most
The US is facing its worst nightmare, being in conflict with an enemy that it has been taught to fear and despise.
That old father and his son and the unheavenly host
Could refer to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his sons, who were seen by the US as a threat to their power, and to the broader Islamic world that is represented as an 'unheavenly host'.
We gotta do what we can don't give up the ghost
Despite the difficulties and challenges, the US is still determined to pursue its interests and dominate the Middle East through military means.
With food and water and an internet line
Suggests that the US is trying to 'win hearts and minds' by providing aid and access to technology, while also using it to maintain its control.
Run to the polls when it comes the time
Calls for people to participate in the democratic process and vote for leaders who will work for their interests, rather than blindly following the government's agenda.
Cause the big truck's rollin down hiway 9
Reinforces the idea that the military machine will continue to operate and expand, regardless of public opinion or resistance.
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.