I know the country will be awash in the strains of Lee Greenwood tomorrow, but, in addition to fire works, parades, cook outs, and Jefferson’s magnificent Declaration, the Fourth of July always reminds me of that great song, by the same name, by X:
On the stairs I smoke a
Cigarette alone
Mexican kids are shootin’
Fireworks below
Hey baby, it’s the Fourth of July
Hey baby, it’s the Fourth of July
It’s the Fourth of July
It’s from their sixth album, See How We Are, released in 1987. I have a great version of it by Robert Earl Keen that I like as much or more than the original. Which is fair, as the “original” wasn’t written by the main members of X. It was penned by Dave Alvin, of The Blasters. He was only with X for that single album. Keen’s cover version came out ten years after the original, on Picnic
What I like about the song is its pathos. The couple that are at the heart of the song are trapped in a dead relationship. But the kids playing in the street provide a tiny glimmer of hope that things might still be different, that all is not lost. Their innocent enjoyment of life contrasts with the life of the speaker, who seeks a moment of solace away from the troubles just inside the house. He tries to share it with his partner:
Whatever happened
I apologize
So dry your tears and baby
walk outside
It’s the Fourth of July
Of course, we don’t really picture it working. There’s no guarantee that a moment of hope inspires lasting change. We don’t know if his lover takes the plea seriously. But the not knowing makes it that much more interesting. On good days, I picture her coming to the window and the two of them enjoying the moment and indulging in a bit of optimism about their future together.