State Of The Union
James McMurtry

CAPO 2nd Fret

G                                                                D
My brother's a fascist, lives in Palacios, fishes the pier every night
D                                                                           G
He hoslters his glock in a double retention, he smokes while he waits for a bite
G
He don't like the Muslims, he don't like the Jews
C
He don't like the Blacks and he don't trust the news
D                                                                             G
He hates the Hispanics and alternative views. He'll tell you it's tough to be white

G                                                                                 D
My sister's a Christian, she likes to go fishin', so she don't mind my brother at all
D                                                                                G
He puts her on redfish and flounder and trout, and they tear up the flats in the fall
G
She gets back to Dallas all sun burnt and sour
C
Worn out from slinging plugs hour after hour
D                                                                                G
Seeing spots when she closes her eyes in the shower, she don't see a conflict at all

CHORUS
         C                    G
It's the state of the union I guess
     D                   G
It's always been iffy at best
      C                      G
We're all in the family, the cursed and the blessed
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I guess
      C                      G
We're all in the family, the cursed and the blessed
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I guess

BREAK:
C    G    D    G   -   C    G    D     G

G                                                            D
Mother turned eighty, consummate lady, we took her to Golden Corral
D                                                                                     G 
'Cos she likes the Yeast Rolls and Bourbon Street Chicken - We oughta known better by now
G
'Cos me and my brother got into it good
C
I called him a hick and he called me a hood
        D                                                                           G  
He said Dad always treated his Mexican's good - I guess you think you're better somehow

G                                                                       D
Yeah you think you're better, cardigan sweater, snowflake if ever there was
D                                                                                       G
You think you're so cool 'cos you did good in school - You got whipped every day on the bus
G
Sister let out for the shop and got worse
C
Went to Wednesday night prayer at the new Christian church
       D                                                                           G
With a cross on her neck and a glock nine in her purse, she might be the wisest of us

         C                    G
It's the state of the union I guess
      D                  G
We're all in a hell of a mess
      C                      G
We're all in the family, the cursed and the blessed
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I guess

         C                    G
It's the state of the union I say
          D                        G  
Christmas dinner, might be hell to pay
   C                          G   
So how 'bout them Cowboys and have a blessed day
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I say

         C                    G
It's the state of the union I guess
     D                   G
It's always been iffy at best
      C                      G
We'll do all we're able with what we got left
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I guess
      C                      G
We'll do all we're able with what we got left
         D                    G
It's the state of the union I guess