Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
Purchasable with gift card
name your price
about
This song was written by Jackson Kusiak in January of 2012. The song originated after Jackson returned to Boston from Youngstown after attending a court date in Youngstown. He was arrested for blockading the entrance to the North Star injection well in Youngstown, which had been the epicenter of at least 12 earthquakes greater than 1.8 magnitude, including one earthquake magnitude 4.0. The lyrics for this song were influenced by conversations Jackson had over the course of several months with community members affected by fracking.
This song was mostly recorded at Jackson's home in Arlington, MA, but Jonathan's fiddle part was recorded in Benton, PA shortly after the eviction of the Riverdale Mobile Home Park and Mary-Clare's fiddle part was recorded on a porch in Oberlin, Ohio.
lyrics
Intro
Where are we, C Em
On this old journey G
What did we decide, Em
And who lied, G
And who died? CMaj7 C
Verse
Well the river flow through the forest Em G
But the money don't grow on trees D A
The gas man smiled, put the pen in my hand Em G
And asked me to sign the lease D A
Pretty please, pretty please CMaj7 D/Em CMaj7 D/Em
And now the water's on fire
And the hole is dug too deep
And the money in my pocket
That I thought could do some good
Is blowing away
In the breeze, in the breeze
Chorus
Mr. Corporation Man Em G Em
Get off of my land! Em G Em
Mr. Corporation Man Em G Em
Get off of my land! Em G Em
That well pad is like a graveyard
When they come with their machines
To tear up the Earth and tell me what it's worth
But they never told me what it means
That the water tastes funny
But it's not so funny
So I went down to the mayor
Thinking he'd be kind
But his hands were tied and he'd lost his pride
And his pockets were lined
Lined with money
Oh, with money
Chorus
If they ever come a-knockin'
Upon your front door
With their three-piece-suits and their clean black shoes
Tellin' you what's in store
Down in the shale
Deep down in the shale
They can promise you you'll be wealthy,
But I think that you might find
That you'd rather be safe and healthy
And keep your peace of mind
I'm not for sale, No, I’m not for sale,
I’m not for sale, No, I’m not for sale
Chorus
…
Mr. Corporation Man
There's blood on your hands
credits
from Mr. Corporation Man,
released August 27, 2013
Jackson Kusiak - Vocals, guitar
Jeremy Bingham - Vocals, guitar, drums
Jonathan Sidney - Fiddle
Mary-Clare Erskine - Additional Fiddle
Mattis Deutch - Banjo
Haley Schurman - Backup vocals
Austin Meyers - Bass, Backup vocals
Nico Osbourne - Backup vocals
Charlie Ekhaus - Mixing and Mastering
Everyone who played on this track has been personally involved in the fight against fracking. Many thanks goes out to all who continue to fight for our land, water and freedom.
The Alabama duo's fifth album exults in dusty Americana, showcasing rich vocal harmonies alongside blissful folk instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 31, 2024
More contemplative folk from the Minnesota singer-songwriter, sustained by raw full-band arrangements and philosophical lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 28, 2024
Irish singer-songwriter Oisin Leech's acoustic folk music is characterized by its muted beauty and intimate, solitary quality. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 16, 2024
