The underground populist workingman’s protest song that’s gotten millions of plays

See also: ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’: A Stirring Ballad for the Real Forgotten Man

Seemingly out of nowhere, a solo performance by Oliver Anthony of his song of protest on behalf of the working class has accumulated many millions of views on various streaming platforms.  The song, titled “Rich Men North of Richmond,” seemingly aimed at the D.C. and N.Y. power centers, is a heartfelt ode to the working person’s regret for what the world has come to.

The song makes no reference, even indirectly, to Trump, but it clearly reflects the populist fury that underlies his movement.

The complete lyrics are posted below.  The first stanzas read:

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

This X (formerly Twitter) version has gotten about five and a half million plays as of late Sunday night, and there are other versions receiving traffic as well:

“Rich Men North of Richmond” is the most listened to track in the world in the past 24 hours.

This American working-man’s protest song has millions & millions of plays.

Sung by an off-the-grid farmer in the countryside with his dogs.

Follow Oliver Anthony at: @AintGottaDollar pic.twitter.com/xKEgZQXYx4

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 11, 2023

Saturday, Oliver Anthony held a free performance at Morris Farm Market, in Currituck, N.C., and was joined by country music star Jamey Johnson.  According to the Rumble video version of the performance there,  

[w]e filled 25 acres with cars and an entire venue of amazing people. I wanted to share so you could all see it. I am still blown away. Thank you for everything. I will never let you down.

Here are the complete lyrics:

“Rich Men North Of Richmond”

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

Well, 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

Hat tip: Lauri B. Regan.

Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab.