My Country — Nahko and Medicine for the People

Artist: Nahko and Medicine for the People

Title: My Country

Year: 2013

Composer: Nahko Bear

Producer: Mark Murphy

Genre: Indie Folk

This selection was a challenge to me because of its style and genre. Nahko and Medicine for the People (MFTP) use their music as a form of activism through a blend of music styles, not truly fitting any one genre. Some examples of the themes the band explores include First Nations rights, energy policies, environmental justice, and social justice. My Country, in particular, incorporates an interpolation of Samuel Francis Smith's 1831 My Country, 'Tis of Thee; social movement themes of inequities in America; and polyphony with America the Beautiful.

Interpolation

Nahko and MFTP's version is somewhat of a parody of Samuel Francis Smith's original song. The 2013 lyrics are patriotic in that they speak the truth of the everyday American. In addition, Nahko's fourth and fifth lines (Land where... my father died) pay homage to the heart-wrenching story of his past. His mother was sold into sex work at the age of 14, was raped, gave birth to Nahko, and put him up for adoption. Nahko spent years of life wondering the identity of his biological parents, but never had the opportunity to meet his father. Nahko's father was murdered a few years prior to him meeting his biological siblings.

Inequities in America

In these lines, the band addresses:

• lack of morality in capitalism

• exploitation of the middle class

• unachievable American Dream

• highly processed foods that are both harmful to the body and the environment

• climate change

• hypocritical patriotism

• lack of sustainability in our ways of living (often in the name of "progress")

• disregard for people in the mining industry (leading to unsurmountable deaths)

• wealth gap

• Native phrase directed at the United States government for stealing native land

The line in bold (From sea to shining sea) also references the upcoming polyphony.

Polyphony

Upon listening to this verse, I interpreted that the band was finishing the song with a sense of hope. That is, by holding ourselves accountable and recognizing our mistakes, Americans are better equipped to ignite real social change. Nahko and MFTP seem to declare that the true meaning of American pride is to not fall into the patterns of inequities embedded in our society.

To compare the polyphony I hear in My Country, listen to minutes 2:37 to 2:48 of this marching band's performance. Try it at 1.5x speed.

Now, play minutes 2:42 to 3:00 of my selection. Mixed into the already rhythmic, march-like beat of the song is a marching band resembling the Ohio State Marching Band performance.

Connection to Playlist

The theme of American identity is undeniable in My Country, but it is not a typical patriotic song. As a contender for "God" in the playlist, this selection references religion in its lyrics and instrumentation. Not only does Nahko implore listeners to pray for guidance, but also the inclusion of Samuel A. Ward's church choir instrumentation alludes to white American Christian values. Nahko and MFTP challenge the "true American" ideology and encourage listeners to think more critically of our nation's past, present, and future. This selection ties into a modern, more inclusive version of Manifest Destiny, in which people, their land, and their culture are respected. The goal is not to exert power or colonize, but to expand our knowledge of fellow Americans.

Resources

Nahko and Medicine for the People, My Country, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdZGuWuGob4.

Genius, My Country - Lyrics, https://genius.com/Nahko-and-medicine-for-the-people-my-country-lyrics.

Michael Kravchuk, Free Choir Sheet Music – America the Beautiful, https://michaelkravchuk.com/free-choir-sheet-music-america-the-beautiful/.

Ohio State Marching Band, America the Beautiful, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMTmrOpZerI.