“Wish It Was True” is a sparse, acoustic song of longing for faith and the risk and disappointment that often comes with that yearning. The White buffalo (aka Jake Smith is a master songsmith in the manner of Guy Clark and Steve Earle, engaging the listener through expansive allegory that always winds up in the interior landscape of the mind and heart.
The video features Jake and his actual son and was filmed in Death Valley partially in an “old pseudo-abandoned motel” and a gutted bus. Both of which serve as apt forsaken symbols for the lyrics.
Mother, I tried to do right by you,To do what you asked me to.
I did wrong, and I knew.
Mother, I tried to behave for you.
Now I’m a-diggin’ a grave for you.
It was all I could do.
Find a way back home, make everything new.
I wish it was true.
Father, well I gave my soul to you.
I came in blind folded for you.
It was all that I knew.
Open your arms and I’ll fly out of hell up to you.
I wish it was true.
Boy, come on out from the cold.
You’re lost outside there, don’t you know?
It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.
Just keep wishing your wishes are true.
Well your dreams, they’re reality.
There’s no pain, there’s no misery.
Just polish the blood and the brews.
For there’s just no way you can lose.
Well I wish it was true.
Country, I was a solider to you.
I did what you asked me to.
It was wrong, and you knew.
Country, now I’m just a stranger to you.
A number, a name; it’s true.
Throw me away when you’re through.
Home of the brave and the free; the red, white, and blue.
I wish it was true.
Hadn’t heard of this guy, but love the voice. Thanks for pointing me to another great artist!
I just found out about White Buffalo last year…SOA episode, one of his songs that was so haunting and beautiful I had to find out who sang it…I’ve bought and uploaded every song he has sang since….Just one amazing singer…..I wish him all the success he desires…He most certainly deserves it…..