This started as a protest song, and still is, but also morphed into more of a reflective pause with a “Sunday School” Ska send off.

If you’ve got it in you, stay tuned ‘til the ending of the song! The song transforms from a pretty solidly 90's vibe into something a bit different than it is at the start…

This song came to life with @bearwith Sarah Wynia-Smith @wynia lends her vocals, harmonizing, trumpet and keyboard prowess to the tune! Brian "the alchemist' Smith @briansmith worked tirelessly as recording and mixing engineer, producer, and virtual drum programmer, while also playing bass...all while scheming up and performing the face-melting electric guitar solo that appears throughout. David Melby-Gibbons wrote the lyrics and music, sings and plays the acoustic guitar.

I started writing this song in reaction and in shocked, grieving and furious response to the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by Federal Agents. As an artist and person, I feel a desire to both yell and swear and try to speak life, speak peace, speak hope, and hopefully sing a moral reminder of conscience to the Trump administration, ice agents, to folks who might be supporting ice, and to everyday people--to all of us who are trying to and learning to respect our neighbors and take care of our families.

#ska #90s #trumpet #protest

The Golden Rule

Intro: Am G C F Am G C F Dm F C

Verse 1: Am G C F Stop hurting your own people Am G C F Dm F C Start helping out a little bit more, walk through the door Am G C F Why have you been acting cruel Am G C F Dm We’re supposed to do unto others as we’d have them do F C It’s The Golden Rule

Chorus A

D E Am G F This is what we’re made for, I know it’s true! D E Am G F The only thing I know for sure! You need me, and I need you!

Mini Instrumental: Am G C x2

Verse 2:

Am G C F Give your precious self to the innocent Am G C F Dm Your abuse is sad, it’s cheap and cruel F C Dm F C Dm F Don’t be a fool. Maybe we should go back to school. And learn the Golden Rule.

Instrumental: Am G C F Am G C F Dm F C

Chorus B D E Am G F ‘Cause this is what we’re made for, it’s a royal path we choose D E Am G F (F…) And we desire more than fool’s gold! Hold on to what is true!...

Bridge: Am G C F What if…all were welcome in this place, and we held each one with grace? Am G And all are encouraged to come right in C F Where the only rule is, we are friends Am G C F And all are welcome in this place, where everyone holds a precious face Am G C F So be encouraged, walk right in, where the only thing is to begin

Chorus C (SLOW) D E Am G F And this is what we’re made for, I know it’s true! D E Am G F The only thing I know for sure! You need me, and I need you! Am G C It’s the gold- - - en rule

Outro: Am G F C It’s the macro, and the micro, it’s the you and it’s the little old me Am G F C It’s the macro, and the micro, if it’s helpful for you, it helps me Am G F C It’s the macro, and the micro, it’s the you and it’s the little old me Am G F G C It’s the macro, and the micro, it’s the only way we can be free

Lyrics and Music by David Melby-Gibbons