“This puppet show stays on because of you fools…”
According to Wikipedia, Struggle Jennings is the grandson of guitarist great Duane Eddy and Jessi Colter, and the step-grandson of Waylon Jennings.1 I have to admit that I had never heard of either Struggle Jennings or Caitlynne Curtis before their video popped up in my YouTube feed.2 I thought the song was powerful and ran it by my millennial daughters to get their reactions. My oldest daughter (36 yrs old) was and remains ambivalent; my youngest daughter (35) absolutely despises it. Though youngest daughter appreciates the genre that I don’t, she believes it’s “preachy” and therefore rejects it.
It may indeed come across as “preachy” to those with liberal bent, or even conservatives who have not committed to any form of a positive Higher Power. Many of us belong to and proclaim Jesus, however, and the song likely doesn’t present any trigger points for us.
Regardless of anyone’s specific faith walk – or lack thereof – I’m convinced that this song/video is powerful indeed. Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2pWOD1nk7g and see if you agree (or don’t).
Here are some lyrics snippets, but do listen to the video for full effect:
…
Don't question their objective but I gotta lot of questions
How these kids molested but nobody's been arrested
Read it in the Testament these children are protected
So I'm fighting all these terrorists both foreign and domestic
Refuse to be directed, a lion not a sheep
Only kneel to my God, so I'm dying on my feet
Caitlynne’s partial vocal response:
Oh, one day I hope you see the truth
This puppet show stays on because of you fools
We've been dancin' with the devil way too long
I know it's fun but get ready to pay your dues
Oh God, come back home
This crazy world is filled with liars and abusers
We need you now before we're too far gone
I hope one day they finally see the truth
God, we need you now
So what are your thoughts? Do you lean with those of (1) the video? (2) my oldest and ambivalent daughter? (3) my youngest and negative daughter? (4) my fondness for it? We’d love to know your individual position and the reasons behind it.
Jeannie MacAdams
Roxboro, NC
2023-Oct-31
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struggle_Jennings#Studio_albums
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2pWOD1nk7g