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about

This is a Terry Allen-esque song about the alleged Russian spy and current politician, Maria Butina. When the press was reporting about her around the time of the song’s writing, her name was often spelled “Mariia,” so I’ve kept that spelling to make it clearer that it is about her (as opposed to anyone named “Maria,” though there is a brief West Side Story reference in the song). The ending includes a dissonant freakout with multiple overdubbed guitar parts by Nate, some “out” fiddling by Teresa, and some noisy piano tinkling by me, combined with actual, public domain quotes of Butina in both English and Russian. It gives the album a raucous, satirical ending, although of course her propagandistic advocacy for the Russian Federation’s horrific ongoing invasion of and war against Ukraine sadly gives this song a more timely character than it would otherwise have had. My dear friend and Russian–English translator Tom Campbell has given me translations of Butina’s Russian quotes, which are included below.

lyrics

No I can't cop a feel
The Rain Man's got the wheel
But Mariia still knows the deal
Cause it's one more job before her
Plane checks out of this spiel

No I can’t hold her hand
She’s got an older man
But the genius is the plan
Cause it’s one more time that you
Slip your crime into the van

So there’s this empty plot
You reap just what you sought
And rub that bloody spot
Cause it’s one more sore if you
Skip this chore and you are caught

Well, she can hold a gun
But she’s not the only one
Go ask her native son
Cause it’s one more God
Who will shoot his wad on the run

No I won’t poke the bear
And you don’t really care
If it drops its underwear
Cause it’s someone’s crown
So let’s all kneel down
And say a prayer

Well I still go to school
But I won’t be made a fool
And I think the Golden Rule
Is just one more con
So I must move on and play it cool

quote 1 [Russian]: [Siberian gun rights speech]
…to symbolize the fact that we have no effective means of defending ourselves. I did it myself. And, unfortunately yes, I have an empty holster that is evidence that we don't have anything to put in this holster.

quote 2 [English]: [to Trump]
Do you want to continue the politics of sanctions that are damaging of both economie[s], or [do] you have any other ideas?

quote 3 [Russian]: [same Siberian speech, speaking of a Buryat man apparently charged in some gun use case]
He defended himself, and should be released immediately. We demand a review of the verdict in his case.

quote 4 [English]: [context?]
...the board member of the Right to Bear Arms, this is a [sic] all-Russian public organization, we promote gun rights

credits

from The Honor and Glory of The Gated Community, released February 3, 2023
Sumanth Gopinath: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric piano (Fender Rhodes), piano
Rosie Harris: backing vocals
Beth Hartman: backing vocals, tambourine
Teresa Gowan: fiddles
Nathan Knutson: electric guitars
Cody Johnson: bass guitar
Paul Hatlelid: drums
John Miller: production/compositional edits

written July 2018, recorded summer 2021–spring 2022

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The Gated Community Minneapolis

The Gated Community is a country/bluegrass/Americana band with rock influences based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in Minnesota and has been in existence since early 2006.

Bandmembers: Sumanth Gopinath
Rosie Harris
Beth Hartman
Paul Hatlelid
Cody Johnson
Nate Knutson ... more

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