At t… Read Full Bio ↴Jamestown Revival is an American rock duo from Magnolia, Texas.
At the heart of Jamestown Revival is a friendship that spans quite some years. Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance grew up together in the small Texas town of Magnolia. From a young age, they shared a love for music as well as the outdoors. About an hour north of Magnolia, Texas, there was some old family land with a dilapidated ranch house where they spent the better part of their adolescence.
At one point or another, music from Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Everly Brothers, to fellow Texans Willie Nelson, Guy Clark and Stevie Ray Vaughan found it’s way through an old pair of speakers that sat on the back porch. The pair spent the day exploring that thousand-acre plot of land, and when the sun went down they took to the records of the songwriters and bands that inspired them. At the age of 22, they moved to Austin and began to craft a sound of their own. Deeply rooted in harmony, they merged the sounds of the South with classic American and Western rock.
Looking for adventure, as well as a change of pace, they eventually made the decision to head west and make the move to Los Angeles, CA.
Throughout the course of the next 12 months, they wrote what is Jamestown Revival’s first full-length album, UTAH. It’s heavily autobiographical, telling the stories of their adventures, their discomforts, and their observations. In order to capture the spirit of the music, the two found a log cabin high within the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. The pair, along with their band and engineer, set out to convert it in to a temporary recording studio. With wild moose right outside the window, and aspen leaves spinning in the wind, they tracked the 11 songs that make up UTAH. Performed live, with no headphones, and entirely to tape, the process captured the moments in the room.
Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance have since moved back to Austin and signed a record deal with Republic Records. Adding to the already soulful album, the band has since re-released UTAH to feature three brand new arrangements of the signature tracks. Through constant touring, the songs took on a life of their own, and these arrangements better reflect the songs as they are today. Teaming up with Republic gave Jonathan and Zach the chance to add to the album without sacrificing what was special about the original UTAH. It was a chance to go back and record the growth that has occurred over the past year, and add to an already strong collection of recordings.
Heading out on the road somewhere… exploring far more than just that thousand-acre plot of land Jonathan and Zach look towards the future with UTAH.
truth
Jamestown Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell the truth
Say Mister Mayor, could I have a word with you?
Am I getting through?
Yes, I have seen the levees comin' down
I've seen fire on the ground
Money leavin' town
Now I am growing older looking through
But I'm closer to the truth
Yes I am
Yes I am
Where is the Savior?
'Cause he don't look a thing like you
Tell the truth
Save it for later
'Cause you've had your time to prove
Now your time is through
Yes, I have seen the levees comin' down
I've seen fire on the ground
Money leavin' town
Now I am growing older looking through
This different point of view
But I'm closer to the truth
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
I lay low, I'll cover my head
What I know, I'll keep it under my bed
Though I try to steady my mind
I get weary, what I might find
'Cause I have seen the levees comin' down
I've seen the fire on the ground
Money leavin' town
And now I am growing older looking through
This different point of view
But I'm closer to the truth
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Yes I am
Jamestown Revival's "Truth" is a powerful song that speaks to the frustration and disillusionment that many people feel with their government today. The lyrics call out the hypocrisy and lies of politicians who claim to be working for the people, but in reality are only interested in serving their own interests. The song starts off with a direct address to the mayor, asking him what he plans to do to address the problems facing his city. The singer then goes on to express his own feelings of disillusionment and anger, observing the destruction caused by levee failures and fires in the city, the loss of jobs, and the general feeling of hopelessness that pervades the community. Ultimately, however, the singer concludes that he is "closer to the truth" than those in power, and that he will continue to fight for justice and honesty in government.
One of the most striking things about "Truth" is the way that the lyrics are so relevant to the current political climate. This song was written over a decade ago, but it speaks directly to the issues and challenges that we face today. The fact that it is still so resonant is a testament to the power of good songwriting and the enduring nature of the human struggle for truth and justice.
Another interesting aspect of "Truth" is the use of repetition throughout the song. The repeated phrases "tell the truth" and "yes I am" serve to reinforce the message of the song and drive it home to the listener. The repetition also creates a sense of urgency and intensity, as if the singer is pleading with someone to listen to his message.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mister Mayor, what the hell we gonna do?
Asking a question to the Mayor about what the plan is
Tell the truth
Asking the Mayor to speak honestly and not deceive
Say Mister Mayor, could I have a word with you?
Requesting to have a conversation with the Mayor
Am I getting through?
Asking if the message is being received and understood by the Mayor
Yes, I have seen the levees comin' down
Observe natural disasters that occur as a result of human deeds
I've seen fire on the ground
Observing wildfires and the destruction caused by it
Money leavin' town
Pointing out the economic decline resulting in people leaving the town
Now I am growing older looking through
Gaining wisdom and knowledge with age and experience
This different point of view
Thinking about things from a new perspective
But I'm closer to the truth
Coming closer to identifying the truth
Where is the Savior?
Questioning the location of the one who can save or fix things
'Cause he don't look a thing like you
The Savior is not who we expect them to be
Save it for later
Keep the truth hidden for the time being
'Cause you've had your time to prove
The Mayor has had a chance to demonstrate their capabilities
Now your time is through
It's time for a new leader to take charge
I lay low, I'll cover my head
Avoiding trouble and remaining unnoticed
What I know, I'll keep it under my bed
Hiding the knowledge and information obtained
Though I try to steady my mind
Attempting to calm oneself and maintain mental stability
I get weary, what I might find
Feeling tired and apprehensive about the potential outcomes
Yes, I have seen the levees comin' down
Reiterating the devastation and consequences that have been witnessed
Now I am growing older looking through
Again reflecting on the passage of time and increased life experience
But I'm closer to the truth
Continuing to progress in identifying the truth and speaking out against deception and inaction
Yes I am
Affirming that the truth will be revealed
Yes I am
Reiterating confidence in the search for the truth
Yes I am
Final affirmation of the pursuit of truth
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.