Last month the Lost Coast Outpost was overwhelmed by the emotional response locals felt upon watching local farmer/songwriter Brett McFarland’s music video for his song “Humboldt.” Since its release, the clip has racked up over 50,000 views on YouTube, no small feat when you consider the population of the place the song was written as a love letter to. In sheer numbers, Humboldt loved “Humboldt.”

Well, McFarland is not resting on his “Humboldt” success. This week he’s back with a new slickly produced video for his song “When the Country’s Gone,” which features lyrics bemoaning worsening economic conditions in rural areas despite continued extraction of natural resources.

If you’d like to sing along, LoCO would like to help you with that: 

“When the Country’s Gone”

Well, I love my child, I’m a true believer, but I wonder what kind of world we’re going to leave her 

I used to think I knew but now I ain’t too clear how we’re ever going to make it out of here 

I don’t know what’s right or wrong but I’m going to cry when the country’s gone 

Well, the city man came with a big swingin’ dick singin’, “We make the problems only we can fix!”

Yeah, they dug all the gold and they cut all the trees and now they’re coming back for the ocean breeze 

Yeah, the biggest fish farm on the whole West Coast cooking GMO Salmon while the fishermen sell their boats!

I don’t know what’s right or wrong but I’m going to cry when the country’s gone 

You and me are the GDP, buying debt in the land of the free 

They say if you ain’t growin’ then you’re gonna die, but it’s a pyramid scheme and a hell of a lie

All around the country folks are getting priced out and mom and pop are rentin’ ‘cuz they can’t afford to buy a house! 

I don’t know what’s right or wrong but I’m going to cry when the country’s gone 

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And in case you thought the McFarland media blitz was about to slow down, guess again. LoCO has received word from the McFarland camp that they are planning to shoot their next video for Brett’s song “Klamath,” which will tell the story of the indigenous-led efforts to remove the Klamath dams. And, oh, by the way, if you’d like to be a part of that video shoot, you can be! Would-be participants are invited to come to the Arcata Playhouse on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. to be part of a live audience for the clip. If you’re interested, RSVP by sending an email or Instagram message.