Lyr ADD: I Am a Patriot (Steven Van Zandt)

Subject: Lyrics 4
From: Kirsten M
Date: 15 Oct 98 - 03:35 PM

My friend is looking for lyrics for "I am a Patriot." Apparently Eddie Vedder sang it during a concert, mumbled something about it being a folk song from the 60's. anybody know the words/music?

Thanks, Kirsten [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyrics 4
From: Wolfgang
Date: 15 Oct 98 - 05:10 PM

copied from http://volleyball.org/taj/world.html

I AM A PATRIOT (by Little Steven)

And the river opens for the righteous (5 times)
Someday

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what's on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes
And we can't turn our backs this time

I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
The people who understand me
I've got nowhere else to go

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

And I was talking with my sister
She looked so fine
I said, "Baby, what's on your mind?"
She said, "I want to run like the lion
Released from the cages
Released from the rages
Burning in my heart tonight"

And I ain't no communist
And I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
And I ain't no imperialist
And I ain't no democrat
And I ain't no republican
I only know one party
And it is freedom

I am, I am, I am
I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my county is all I know

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

And the river opens for the righteous...

(c)1984 BLUE MIDNIGHT MUSIC (ASCAP)

Recording by Little Steven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHCAI7QEj9A

Subject: RE: Lyrics 4
From: Kirsten M
Date: 16 Oct 98 - 02:26 PM

Thanks so much! I'll pass those on...

Subject: Lyrics/author of 'I Am A Patriot'
From: Alisha
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 08:50 PM

I'm looking for a song that I *think* is titled "I Am A Patriot". I don't know who wrote the words and/or music, and I'm fuzzy on some of the lyrics, but the first verse and chorus are:

"I was walking with my brother and he wondered what's on my mind I said what I believe in: my soul; ain't what I see with: my eyes And we can't turn our backs this time.

I am a patriot, and I love my country Because my country is all I know I want to be with my family, the people who understand me I've got nowhere else to go."

If anyone has any information about this, I would appreciate it! Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics/author of 'I Am A Patriot'
From: Kevin
Date: 21 Sep 99 - 02:34 PM

Wow, Alisha! what a great song...haven't thought about it for some time...That is from Little Steven. Yes, Miami Steve Van Zandt, who was Bruce Bedsprings guitarist for many years. It's on an album of his called "Voice of America", a hard rockin', beautifully crafted disc that is also a blast of impassioned outrage and hunger for justice. Go get it, it's great! "...and the river open for the righteous..." enjoy, kevin.

Subject: 'I Am A Patriot'...Chords???
From: Alisha
Date: 29 Sep 99 - 06:06 PM

Kevin (or anyone else) Thanks so much, you were very helpful. I didn't even expect anyone to reply or know that song, so I didn't press my luck. But since you did respond...do you happen to know the chords for it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics/author of 'I Am A Patriot'
From: Mike Billo
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 09:53 AM

David Lindley also does this song on his newest CD "Twango, Bango". I've never heard the original by Little Steven, but Lindley's version is very powerful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics/author of 'I Am A Patriot'
From: Marki
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 06:15 PM

Another person who does an absolutely fabulous version of said song, is Jackson Browne. I forget the name of the cd that this song is on (I have it, but could hardly remember Mr. Brownes name, let alone the name of the cd!) The whole cd is pretty good -- it came out in the late '80's or early '90's (and yes, the lyrics are inside), so if you want to try his version. Mostly political type songs, but good, never-the-less.

Subject: Chords for 'I Am a Patriot'
From: Alisha
Date: 07 Oct 99 - 09:18 PM

Does anyone have the chords to "I Am a Patriot", by Little Steven? Thanks!

Subject: Lyr Add: I AM A PATRIOT (Steven Van Zandt)
From: Genie
Date: 14 Jun 08 - 01:41 PM

I Am A Patriot

I was walking with my brother
and he wondered
what's on my mind.
I said what I believe
in my soul ain't
what I see with
my eyes,
And we can't turn
our backs this time.

I am a patriot,
and I love my country
Because my country
is all I know.
I want to be with my family,
the people who understand me.
I've got nowhere
else to go.

You can hear a long clip of Jackson Browne singing this song here: www.jacksonbrowne.com/discography/albums/5250.aspx

Here are the full lyrics, with the chords (as posted in a couple places on line).

I AM A PATRIOT
(Steve Van Zandt) -

(These are pretty much the original lyrics but slightly modified by Pearl Jam and/or Jackson Browne.)
                  
And the rivers shall open for the righteous (2x)
And the rivers shall open for the righteous, someday
      
I went wal(D)king,(G) with my br(D)other (G)
And he wo(D)ndered, (G) oh, how I a(A)m, (G)
Said "What I believe with my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes,
And there's no turning back this time."
                              
"I am a p(D)atriot,(G) and I love my cou(D)ntry(G)      
Because my co(D)untry (A)is all I kn(G)ow. (A)
I want to be with my family,
People who understand me.
I got no place else to go.

"I am a patriot ... "

I went walking with my sister (girlfriend).
She looked so fine, I said "(Baby,) What's on your mind?"
She said "I want to run like the lions
Released from their cages,
Released from the rages burning in my soul tonight."

"I am a patriot ... "

And I ain't no co(D)mmunist, (G)and I ain't no so(D)cialist (G)
And I ain't no ca(D)pitalist, (G) and I ain't no imp(D)erialist (G)
And I ain't no De(D)mocrat, (G)I ain't no Re(D)publican. (G)
I only know one pa(D)rty, (G)and that is fre(D)edom,(G)I (D)am, I (G) am, I a(A)m,

I am a patriot, and I love my country
Because my country is all I know ... "

And the ri(D)vers shall op(A)en for the righteous (2x)
And the rivers shall open for the righteous, someday
Someday, someday, someday...

Subject: ADD: I Am a Patriot (Little Steven Van Zandt)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 03:08 AM

Here's my transcription from the Little Steven Van Zandt recording.

I AM A PATRIOT
(Little Steven Van Zandt)

And the river opens for the righteous (5 times)
Someday

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what's on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes
And we can't turn our heads* this time

I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
The people who understand me
I've got nowhere else to go
I am a patriot....

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday

And I was talking with my sister
She looked so fine
I said, "Baby, what's on your mind?"
She said, "I want to run like the lion
Released from the cages
Released from the rages
Burning in my heart tonight"

I am a patriot, and I love my country.
Because my country is all I know.

And I ain't no communist
And I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
And I sure ain't no imperialist
And I ain't no democrat
And I ain't no republican
I only know one party
And its name is freedom

I am, I am, I am
I am a patriot...

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous...

(c)1984 BLUE MIDNIGHT MUSIC (ASCAP)

Recording by Little Steven Van Zandt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHCAI7QEj9A
Live 1984 performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzguf7WBIM0



There is no indication that Little Steven is related to Townes Van Zandt.

Jackson Browne recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTBjdvBN718

*Brown sings "backs."