The Lyricism and Poetry of Steve Earle

Steve Earle's lyricism has always been an important fixture of who he was as a musician. Since his first album, his lyrics have dealt with real issues, ranging from his own personal troubles to the problems of the world. The first song I am going to focus on this "This City" from the soundtrack of Treme. In this video, he explains the assignment that show creator David Simon prompted him with when writing the song.  He wanted a song that Earle's character in the show would have written about New Orleans after Katrina in 2005. What was delivered was an emotional outburst that reflects not only on the city of New Orleans but also the personality and perseverance of Earle himself.

This city won't wash away
This city won't ever drown
Blood in the water and hell to pay
Sky turned gray when the pain rained down

Doesn't matter, let come what may
I ain't ever going to leave this town
This city won't wash away
This city wont' ever drown.

The song expresses the resilience that New Orleans had after Katrina, but a song like this could only have been written by someone who encountered the same tribulations in life.  Like New Orleans, Earle had basically lost everything at one point in his life.  His drug addiction has essentially ruined his career, an his future looked bleak.  He persevered however, and never let himself drown.

The next song "Jerusalem" was off his most recent album.  After his previous album was filled with only Townes Van Zandt covers, this record is a full release of the beliefs of Earle.  This lyricism on this song displays his prudent activism.

Well maybe I'm only dreamin' and maybe I'm just a fool
But I don't remember learnin' how to hate in Sunday school
But somewhere along the way I strayed and I never looked back again
But I still find some comfort now and then

The sing deals with basically all the turmoil in the world, but most importantly the acceptance it has amongst most Americans.  A Christian himself, he is calling out others who let the violence continue and accept it as okay.

Earle has made it an ardent point throughout his career to use his music as a cultural tool.  He knows that every song, every word he releases holds merit to his listeners. Earle takes advantage and always has a positive message in his songs that he tries to spread.