Song of the Day 2/26: Iris DeMent, “Goin’ Down to Sing in Texas”

Singer-songwriter Iris DeMent isn’t usually described as a folk singer, I suppose because much of her work sounds like country music, but some of her compositions are as pointed as any of the protest songs that came out of the Great Folk Music Scare of the early ’60s.

Her first album in eight years, “Workin’ on a World,” released last Friday, contains a tune that challenges a lot of people in a state where she gives a lot of concerts. “Goin’ Down to Sing in Texas” addresses America’s gun culture, police shootings and anti-Muslim prejudice while giving shoutouts to the Squad and the Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) for their bravery in standing against the abusive powers that be. She’s been singing it in concert for at least a year, and some listeners have noted that the recorded version excised a verse calling out Israel for its actions against Palestinians in the West Bank.