Mandolin Orange - Wildfire Lyrics






Brave men fought with the battle cry
Tears filled the eyes of their loved ones and their brothers in arms
And so it went, for Joseph Warren
It should have been different
It could have been easy
His rank could have saved him
But a country unborn needs bravery
And it spread like wildfire

Wildfire

From the ashes grew sweet liberty
Like the seeds of the pines when the forest burns
They open up to grow and burn again
It should have been different
It could have been easy
But too much money rolled in to ever end slavery
The cry for war spread like wildfire

Wildfire
Wildfire

Civil War came, Civil War went
Brother fought the brother, the South was spent
But its true demise was hatred passed down through the years
It should have been different
It could have been easy
But pride has a way of holding too firm to history
And it burns like wildfire

Wildfire
Wildfire

I was a born a southern son
In a small southern town where the rebels run wild
They beat their chests and they swear we're going to rise again
It should have been different
It could have been easy
The day that old Warren died hate should have gone with him
But here we are caught in the wildfire

Wildfire
Wildfire
Wildfire
Wildfire





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Mandolin Orange Wildfire Comments
  1. a.... ....

    Man, it's like you folks have brought good music back to life again! Can't stop listening...so good !!

  2. K.... D....

    This is one of those tunes that linger in my mind!Love your music. Thank you

  3. D.... S....

    Beautiful sentiment, listen to the words and whether or not you agree with their lives and lyrics, you'll have to agree this world might be a better place if more people thought this way

  4. Y.... Y....

    Greed the tinder of all Wildfires in our world. Thank You

  5. A.... B....

    Beautiful

  6. S.... F....

    I have tried so hard to like this tune; but there are those condescending portions, " . . . where the rebels run wild, they beat their chests and they swear we're gonna rise again . . . "

    It's easy enough to mock those "good ol' boys", I suppose; as if somehow, they're too simple, too backward; and they make your job easy enough. And maybe they don't play the mandolin, nor write clever lyrics. Or maybe all they have is that ol' pickup-truck they inherited from grandpa; and that battle-flag he left 'em in honor of his own grandfather, who fought and died as a young man for the Confederacy—in that war for Southern independence.

    Yes, they're easy enough to mock, I suppose—those Appalachian blood-lines with a pride in something you cannot quite fathom.

    And I am reminded of a friend of mine from high-school, a boy who was that sort of friend whom everyone has—the one who will do anything on a dare, or if the price is right. And one time, someone bet him five-dollars that he would not slap his own grandmother, an old woman who was sweeping the front porch with her handmade broom.

    But he gathered up the courage, and he strode up those porch-steps, and he slapped her square on the jaw, and he then collected on his bet.

    But his grandmother, you see, did not react in the manner they all expected—and while they all whistled and chortled, and they 'beat their chests', yet rather than the old woman getting angry and chasing 'em all away with that broom; instead, she ran inside and wept like a baby, all because she had been disrespected in front of a group of miscreant, petulant children, and by her own blood-kin.

    Sometimes, the only thing a soul can claim ownership to, is in their self-respect—in their own personal dignity. And to remove that from a person takes only a millisecond. But once it's gone . . . it ain't comin' back.

    And while lyrics in a tune are not exactly the same as a slap in the face, I suppose, I am also reminded of that tune 'Southern Man'; and another called 'Alabama'—two tunes that might not have been offensive to everyone. But they were insulting to Ronnie Van Zant.

    So while I added your tune to my playlist for a spell, and after listening to it a few dozen times, I'm gonna have to remove it now. You see, I cannot abide such a slap in the face—and especially not from my own distant kin.

    Yes, mockery is rather easy . . .
    ________________

    “Perhaps you'd like, you gentle fellow,
    To hear what I'm prepared to say
    On "kinfolk" and their implications?
    Well, here's my view of close relations:
    They're people whom we're bound to prize,
    To honor, love, and idolize,
    And following the old tradition,
    To visit come the Christmas feast,
    Or send a wish by mail at least;
    All other days they've our permission,
    To quite forget us if they please-
    So grant them, God, long life and ease!”

    ― Alexander Pushkin

  7. C.... K....

    To me, your lyrics for this song is as good, meaningful, and important as anything written by Bob Dylan. And well played. Unlike Dylan, I don't think anybody but you can sing this song. So thoughtful, and smart. Haunting. True.

    C.... K....

    "Well there was a little boy, and there was a little girl.
    And they lived in the alley
    Under the Big Sky.
    Well there was a little boy and there was a little girl and they lived in the alley under the Big Sky"

    A Zimmerman Zinger.
    This song has much better understanding to it. I disagree with lyrics in a few places but sound is just Boss.

  8. E.... y....

    Mighty fine music.

  9. G.... D....

    Why do ya bring hate into it. The hate started with Yankee invasion and total war against the people of the South. Remember that the Yankees invaded so even moderate Southerners reacted and Slavery was legal in the US until Dec. 1863.

    G.... D....

    The south wanted to own people. Don't try to whitewash this.

    G.... D....

    The entire world owned people, and continued to do so long after slavery ended in the US. Not a uniquely American sin, but a sin of ALL mankind. Blaming the descendants for the sins of their ancestors while viewing history through a modern lens is foolish. We Americans are fortunate to have been born to a country which was founded on principles which could not abide slavery and eventually brought about its end. Clean your own room first.

  10. d.... s....

    I find myself listening to this everyday. This is one amazing talented band.

  11. s.... u....

    Thank you, Mandolin Orange, for fighting fire with fire to overcome the lies and hatred of racism with truth and love.

  12. T.... D....

    Loved this song on NPR.... Jesus bless

  13. B.... I....

    Unfortunately I'm just now hearing you guys thanks to my @tinydesk exploration.
    I can't say enough about this track. Very well laid out and beautiful.
    The nee album is awesome, can't wait to hear you guys in New Orleans. Mississippi hears you!!!

  14. n.... ....

    Anybody else get watery eyes when listening to this? What a beautiful song

  15. J.... D....

    This is an absolutely amazing song.

  16. a.... l....

    Anyone know of any other bands ir songs like this?

  17. a.... l....

    Jesus this is like amazing... Just beautifully written and sang and played perfectly.

  18. J.... M....

    Goose bumps......every time.

    J.... M....

    James Martin this song makes me emotional

  19. K.... A....

    Come (back) to Texas!

  20. J.... J....

    Getting noticed down here in Australia. We have our own issues regarding treatment our First Nation indigenous peoples and this song is powerful and beautiful

  21. G.... C....

    Heard this first on WOVV , Ocracoke NC . Am looking forward to seeing them in Asheville come early 2019 . Just great music .

  22. J.... B....

    Love yalls Music but not the Politics of Indie Bluegrass style people that come with it. Freedom of the music yall play only comes from a true free market capitalist country you live in.

    J.... B....

    wat da fak ya on about bro

  23. F.... ....

    wonderful song

  24. I.... F....

    Amaizng ever thank you so beautiful

  25. Q.... A....

    I understand what this song was written for, but the first time I heard it I was in the middle of an estae battle of my fathers that just passed, on of my sons and his girlfriend got very shady and greedy and forged a will, all my other children were appalled and fighting began, the part that breaks me EVERTIME is "Brother fought brother", this song speaks of our battle, very ugly and painful, havent spoken with my son since 💔😢

  26. m.... A....

    Newbies: https://heartiste.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/joesobran.jpg?w=768&h=614
    do you think that the Blacks, the Browns, the SJWs (“Social Justice
    Warriors”) and the “antifas” hold the moral high ground in America’s
    ongoing culture war? They sure act like they do, right? But they don’t.
    Normal White people hold the moral high
    ground. After all, they built the United States of America and all of
    the other White countries [1]. Western culture is White culture. The
    Western world was founded by White men and only by White men.
    Furthermore, White men invented 99% of everything that is important
    (including electricity, the lightbulb, the computer, the automobile, the
    airplane, the clock, the telephone, and democracy — yeah, that means we
    gave women, antifas and Brown people the right to vote) [2].
    If
    you’re a White person, you automatically have seniority in the Western
    world. In the United States of America, and in Canada, England, France,
    Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, if you’re White, you automatically
    have more rights and freedoms than Blacks, Browns, Asians or Jews. Those
    rights and freedoms were not created by legislatures or parliaments.
    Those rights and freedoms are natural and inborn: you’ve had them since
    birth.
    [1] re: America: 118 White men created the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution
    Non-Whites
    don’t need the moral high ground. The sectional Black Republican party
    gave them the 14th amendment. That’s all they need. The Black
    Republicans also marshalled into service an ultra modern non-White army
    to kill White people in North America and then the world.
    It’s a remarkable fact that Obama and Lincoln claim Illinois as their home state.
    Black Republicans pave the way for Mr. Obama:
    https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail...
    How far Blacks have come! In the 1950s, they were worthless idiots. But now, they’re geniuses [1].
    [Article].
    .
    [1]
    “What shocked me were my interviews with scholars of non-western
    cultures. Here, I am referring not only to western specialists in the
    great non-western traditions, but scholars who were themselves born into
    those traditions – Arab archaeologists or writers, economists and
    historians from India and China, poets and dramatists from Japan and
    Africa. All of them – there were no exceptions – said the same thing. In
    the 20th century, in the modern world, there were no non-western ideas
    of note.” — writer Peter Watson, in his important article “Lost in the
    Swamp of Modernity,” in The New Statesman, 29 October 2001. (I’m
    surprised that this article remains online at a British magazine; better
    copy it to disk now before the UK’s anti-racism police flush it down
    the memory hole).

  27. T.... G....

    great great song and musicians...leave the politics out and research yourself the facts it's all documented war was over economic wealth textiles agricultural an the trade power of the south...don't believe me? look at your Abraham Lincoln his own writings state if there was any other way to take the power of the south he would NOT free the slaves and there is a lot more there that our political education dept seems to leave out. no one thinks slavery is or was ok but the fact is truth...

  28. c.... j....

    TGIF... Mandolin Orange
    YOUR MAGIC[al] WILD FIRE'S ONE FUNCTION, My Psy~Muse--- Spa Massage Music World's... Color Values of Love.....

    EL AMEN~~Sela'| H | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

    An A~meri~KA~n Hai~ku~d'~Grace'~etat Prayer: STRIP, WHIP, REPEAL,and RE~DRESS the U.S. Const.'s XIIIth S[y]{ill}ya-Bill of Original Rights and Privileges AMEN~d~Men~T---- /| [f]or | less [ ZI~ON] |\ Blessed~Gifts'-sake: Present & Uni~QUADVERSALITY Future... Humble and Simple HU~Man Being of Only ONE KIND ❣❣❣

  29. c.... j....

    EL AMEN~~Sela'| H | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

    c.... j....

    An A~meri~KA~n Hai~ku~d'~Grace'~etat Prayer:


    STRIP, WHIP, REPEAL,and RE~DRESS the U.S. Const.'s XIIIth S[y]{ill}ya-Bill of Original Rights and Privileges AMEN~d~Men~T----
    /| [f]or | less [ ZI~ON] |\ Blessed~Gifts'-sake: Present & Uni~QUADVERSALITY Future... Humble and Simple HU~Man Being of Only ONE KIND ❣❣❣
    https://youtu.be/RT4KHnhcV8M

  30. P.... A....

    Life..changed..loves it..

  31. R.... A....

    Love the Mandolin.

  32. S.... W....

    Sez it all....

  33. S.... I....

    WOW!! Love Mandolin Orange 🌟 Americana. Where We Go One, We Go all ❤ We Are One 🌋

  34. b.... c....

    So glad my nephew introduced me to their music. I bought this album because of this song.

  35. B.... P....

    Brazil o/

  36. T.... C....

    Brave men fought with the battle cry
    Tears filled the eyes of their loved ones and their brothers in arms
    And so it went, for Joseph Warren
    It should have been different
    It could have been easy
    His rank could have saved him
    But a country unborn needs bravery
    And it spread like wildfire

    [Chorus]
    Wildfire

    From the ashes grew sweet liberty
    Like the seeds of the pines when the forest burns
    They open up to grow and burn again
    It should have been different
    It could have been easy
    But too much money rolled in to ever end slavery
    The cry for war spread like wildfire

    [Chorus]
    Wildfire
    Wildfire

    Civil War came, Civil War went
    Brother fought the brother, the South was spent
    But its true demise was hatred passed down through the years
    It should have been different
    It could have been easy
    But pride has a way of holding too firm to history
    And it burns like wildfire

    I was a born a southern son
    In a small southern town where the rebels run wild
    They beat their chests and they swear we're going to rise again
    It should have been different
    It could have been easy
    The day that old Warren died hate should have gone with him
    But here we are caught in the wildfire

    [Chorus]
    Wildfire
    Wildfire
    Wildfire
    Wildfire

  37. M.... G....

    This is in all ways is a really pretty song from the instrumentation part to the lyrics--which are very powerful---and those words making connection between points of history--from the days of the Civil War--a war that in a way never really ended to today with where we are now. From the bombing of a church in Birmingham that killed four little girls; the killings of "freedom riders" both black and white; the water hoses, Billy clubs, whippings and police dogs let loose on freedom marchers in places like Selma to today---with the rally in Charlottesville last summer and the death of one young lady after some fool ran his car into a crowd of counter protestors. John Brown was right, there would be a bloody war against slavery, but all the blood that was shed in that great war that almost did render asunder this nation, didn't truly wash away one of the Great Sins of this nation----a combined one of Slavery and Jim Crow. I do love this song and I love Mandolin Orange. I do hope to get to see them perform live at some point in 2018---they do need to come back to the US from being on a long tour of Europe.

    M.... G....

    And isn't it a double kick in the pants that the original slaves were sold in Africa by their fellow African natives to the Europeans ? That's a point seldom made anywhere in the discussion of slavery. I'm amazed there isn't more hatred ( actually there doesn't seem to be any ) of their ancestors for that most " original sin " ... wouldn't you say ?

  38. D.... C....

    love this whole CD

  39. D.... B....

    I'm a fan!

  40. s.... ....

    Johnny Cash says that you should keep you political convictions to your self although, Steppenwolf and Frank Zappa wrote lyrics that still hold true today. Monster and Trouble Everyday.

  41. K.... P....

    I caught these guys at a free outdoor show in saxapahaw,nc.7 yrs ago and flipped out on them,seen them every time they've came anywhere close since last time a year ago,turned a friend onto them who is straight rock and he loved this song,the first time I heard it,it was live. Needless to say I got it on cue in my phone and play it often,try "Spanish leather"if u enjoy this one.go see them live trust me u won't regret it

  42. d.... ....

    Just discovered these two. I can't wait until they come play in the PNW

  43. d.... ....

    Love this duos music!

  44. M.... M....

    Again so impressive with the mellow harmonic sound heartfelt.

  45. P.... A....

    Front porch music" 🎶

  46. R.... G....

    I'm. A. Huge fan of. Country. Music. 😃

  47. C.... L....

    Love love love.

  48. J.... Z....

    I love this song but historical inaccurate. Slavery was not the reason for civil war. It was states rights. 99.9999% of Confederates who died did not own slaves. It was about government having to much central control and tax. It's what's wrong with US today. Federal Reserve not federal no reserve. Do your research.

    J.... Z....

    @Gary Daniel, you're right of course. The North was not generally anti-slavery. Indeed, I never said they were, but my words were not as clear as they could have been. My bad, for inviting misunderstanding. More accurately, the secession was (in their own words) about slavery and white supremacy. The war over that secession was about keeping the Union whole, for a variety of reasons, of which tax revenue was a big one. The fact that the war led to the end of chattel slavery and the 13th and 14 amendments was not very directly related to its motivation. For every John Brown, there were dozens who didn't care one way or the other.

    So no, it wasn't about the North hating slavery that much, and I don't believe I've ever thought it was. It was about the South loving slavery enough that it was worth setting up a White Supremacist nation over, and the North objecting to that on a variety of grounds.

    I guess you could say that the CSA was sovereign territory, but any sovereignty tied so closely to hateful, racist theories is illegitimate and a crime against humanity. White supremacy is utter trash, and so are its apologists.

    J.... Z....

    @Gary Daniel, I certainly haven't said anything to indicate that I think the CSA invaded the north. That's quite a stretch, from what I wrote. They would have been happy to carry on in peace..... except it's not really peace when people are treated as property. Peace without freedom is pretty meaningless, but I'm not sitting here claiming that the South was eager to fight that war. They wanted to own slaves without anyone bothering them about it. Disgusting, isn't it?

    J.... Z....

    @gt jacobs
    Interesting. Lincoln was a White Supremist. One of the sticking points in both the North and South about freeing the Slaves was what to do with them nobody wanted them around for f they weren't slaves. The real irony here is that had slavery been dismantled peacefully the owners would have sold their investments to Spain or Portugal. Send them Down River. Those sold there would probably not lasted a year or so. The fact that they were freed with no real plans in place to do anything with them assured their permanence and as citizens who could vote. The males anyway.
    That whole mess could have turned out even worse for them if it broke some other way.

    J.... Z....

    @gt jacobs
    It was legal at the time and figuring out a way to free the Blacks and recompence the Owners was a huge can of worms since the States pretty much ran themselves back then. Federal Government didn't have the power to force a single solution that everyone would abide by.
    The US was just as racist as the CSA.

    J.... Z....

    ​@Gary Daniel, I have not argued that the North was less racist. I don't care what you say about Lincoln; I'm sure you're right. How could he not be a white supremacist? It's disgusting, all around. I really don't care what you have to say about this issue at all, because honestly, you're starting to creep me out, and you keep reading weird shit into my comments. I give my time to people whose company I *like*; that's not you. Go enjoy life some other way, alright? Further tagging will result in a block.

    BTW, pointing out that slavery was "legal at the time" is not a good look, and when you say that the US *was* just as racist, you could switch that to "is". A whole lot hasn't changed.

  49. P.... ....

    The Wild fire is getting hotter everyday! What a shame we can't get along! 🔥

  50. r.... ....

    true artistry, original creativity in every way

  51. G.... E....

    Now this is music right here. I love their music.

  52. S.... m....

    npr sent me

  53. C.... W....

    I love the civil war 1800s feel.

  54. W.... ....

    Love this song.

  55. T.... J....

    This weekend I had the wonderful pleasure of attending Anastasia Music Festival in St. Augustine, FL. One of my favorite acts there was Mandolin Orange. They were entertaining, witty and very good musicians. While they had numerous original songs that were very good, this one really moved me - to tears actually. I spent a lot of time yesterday watching all I could on YT. One poster below said it as well, but I can't stop listening to this song either. As one born and raised in south ga, i found it so very powerful. Very powerful.

    T.... J....

    Tyler Jones !

  56. d.... a....

    the reason this energy does rule the planet cause most have lost connection with there soul

    d.... a....

    their, but, yeah.

  57. S.... ....

    it chills me so much!

  58. D.... V....

    Can't wait to see you on The Farm this year!

    D.... V....

    I'm a POD Manager at Bonnaroo, but they also came to the theatre in my hometown that I work out and I saw their show and met them. They're lovely, can't wait for them to grace the farm with their audible love♥

  59. J.... D....

    I wish i was southerner! Y'all should be proud of your culture! It's really genuinely beautiful culture you got! I love you southerners!!

    J.... D....

    JACK DOLAH why thank you. RHEC

    J.... D....

    We might talk slow, drink sweet tea, kiss our sisters, love NASCAR, and have horrible education systems but we is are smrt!

    J.... D....

    Racism is not heritage, hate speech isn't tradition, white superiority isn't culture. The South lost, they will not rise again, and their ideals are shit if they still hold those abhorrent notions. Reparations should be paid. How about you honor Southern culture by doing what's right for ALL it's people for once. Outside of that, there are pros and cons to the South, I won't get into them.

  60. j.... j....

    Born and grew up in MS and MA now in CA see the hate that lingers. This song NAILS 2017! We are in for 4 years of torches and pitchforks....wonder why bernie gave up on the south and hilary ran up the big insurmountable lead...

    j.... j....

    jerry jacobs born and raised in Georgia, live in Alabama now. I don't see the hate like you do, I see just a lot of people who want to be left alone and tired of being called racist.

    j.... j....

    jerry jacobs even though a lot of black people live in the south, the south is still racist? You don't have to bring politics into everything.

    j.... j....

    jerry jacobs Your view on the south is completely falsified.Ive lived in the south all of my life.All the major racist blm protest are going on in the North right now.Bernie gave up on the south because the south is majority Republican and he knew Trump already had them in his pocket.

    j.... j....

    True this

    j.... j....

    Beautiful Song. Love them. Where We Go One, We Go All ❤💙 WE ARE ONE 🇺🇸

  61. P.... H....

    what a beautiful song, not only a haunting melody, but brilliant lyrics

    P.... H....

    Not really. Though we'll written they are simplistic and cliche'.

  62. C.... W....

    your music pours out of a special place inside. loved it when you came to Denver and looking forward to all the wonderful melodies your futures hold. many blessings!

  63. Y.... ....

    I'm not a huge country fan but this style is pretty damn good!

    Y.... ....

    Y2Chris---in a traditional sense---this music is "country" but in today's standards--it really falls more into the genre of "Americana/American Roots Music" with their style coming more from the bluegrass style. It is great that there are those of the up and coming generations who are going back in time a bit to take the best of what the past music---REAL MUSIC--has to offer and then take it to put a more modern, 21st Century spin to it and groups like Mandolin Orange are doing that! Thank goodness that some people want to make music that is REAL, has a connection to the past and honors that, but makes it fresh and relevant, with such music being done not to just sell more records and other things-but because music in and of itself-----that speaks to more than just superficial things----has value and meaning. This song and the other things that this young couple have already done musically and I hope they continue doing so----will be music that people can come back to in 50 to 100 years and more and find it still stands the test of time-----that is was music "meant to last" and not just be a hit for the next 30 seconds, then move on to make the next great hit and so on----most modern pop music of all sorts seems to have lost that quality--it is mostly "throw away music"

    Y.... ....

    thats not county music, its backwoods west virginia rock

    Y.... ....

    its bluegrass not country I'd like to say

    Y.... ....

    @Zack Flory I would not call it either ....

    Y.... ....

    Since this isn't country music...you're in luck!

  64. K.... R....

    Here we are caught in a wildfire...

  65. R.... O....

    amazing so good <33333 since 2016 :D

  66. A.... C....

    His voice reminds me of Robert earl keen

    A.... C....

    Was thinking Jimmy Buffett, but better

  67. K.... B....

    Absolutely beautiful... We just had a celebration of life for a close friend/soulmate and I played this album during the scattering of ashes. It will forever hold a very special place in my heart <3

    K.... B....

    Sorry to hear, sure it was beautiful.

    K.... B....

    My condolences. May your friend Rest In Peace.

  68. J.... F....

    Amazing song! So beautiful and full of meaning! I just love these guys...

  69. C.... J....

    waaaao!!!!!! love this song.

  70. I.... O....

    What a gift! #blessed 2016 and beyond :D

  71. B.... R....

    this is so magnificently written.

    B.... R....

    (and i'm a south african) ;-)

  72. D.... ....

    Absolutely can't stop listening to this.
    Brilliantly done guys!
    See you @ HRB.

  73. E.... J....

    Good music really nice.

  74. E.... M....

    Thank you for writing this! As a white Southerner, as a social worker, as someone who is involved in racial justice but who also loves my family and my culture, it's difficult to know what to say or how to feel about the good and the bad.

    E.... M....

    Erin Mills well said. Respectfully, Tennessee

    E.... M....

    Erin ..You just did !

    E.... M....

    mr. ALLcaps fuck off nazi

    E.... M....

    @J R
    It wasn't based on hate. Greed maybe. Not hate.

    E.... M....

    Great song...but the American civil war was fought over a whole lot more than slavery....an estimated death tole of 400000 plus... civilians and soldier's..more than all American wars combined...