I heard this song today and was moved to share the video and the message. It is a powerful song about advocacy and action to protect our children and communities by band member Ketch Secor. Here is the background of why Old Crow Medicine Show wrote “Louder Than Guns.”
When the lives of 6 teachers and students were snuffed out in a couple minutes at Covenant School in Nashville, I knew I had to speak out, and so I sought every opportunity to do so. I wrote the song ‘Louder Than Guns’ and recorded it just a week after the funerals for the slain. Before we recorded the track, I carved their names in my fiddle – Hallie, Evelyn, William, the three 9-year-olds, and Mike, Cynthia, and Katherine, the three educators. I dedicate this song to them because I swore when the shooting came to Nashville I was going to work my hardest to make it the last stop on this runaway train of murders, gun violence, and terror. I stand up not knowing the answers as to how this will be done. I am a musician, not a politician. But I will use my voice from now on to demand the change our communities deserve; won’t you join us in Old Crow Medicine Show and take a stand in your community, too? – Ketch Secor
“Louder Than Guns” lyrics Woke up this morning It was Groundhog Day I saw the same black veil on a crying face And a flag flying half way This time it was people I know Gunned down in a minute or so Only God knows when it’ll stop But thoughts and prayers ain’t enough
Louder than guns more powerful than bullets flying Is the voice rising up saying it’s about time To put the last nail in the coffin Put the last body in the ground Callin’ on every town shout Louder than guns
There’s a law on a dusty scroll from a feather pen Says everyman’s right to defend shall not be infringed Well this time I don’t agree Any man should have his own army More than an American child to live in sweet harmony
Louder than guns more powerful than bullets flying Is the voice rising up saying it’s about time To put the last nail in the coffin Put the last body in the ground Callin’ on every town shout Louder than guns
I don’t wanna wake up on another Groundhog Day Well, I don’t wanna hear another rat a tat tat echo down the hallway No, freedoms just another word For letting every voice be heard Every heart and every hand Every town take a stand
Louder than guns more powerful than bullets flying Is the voice rising up saying it’s about damn time To put the last nail in the coffin Put the last body in the ground Callin’ on every town shout Louder than guns
Published by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN, is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 22nd year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the Director for New Jersey to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Board. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor. Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 and 2020 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award. Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty. Robin writes a weekly blog called The Relentless School Nurse. She also writes a monthly column in My American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association. Robin’s work is included as a case study in The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030. You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.
View all posts by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
