213. “Ameriican Requiem” is the opening track on Beyonce’s country inspired album ‘Cowboy Carter’. The song acknowledges Beyonce’s Alabama/Louisiana roots and reclaims the Black roots of country music. Songwriters: Atia Boggs / Beyonce Knowles / Camaron Ochs / Dan Walsh / Darius Dixson / Derek Dixie / Ernest Wilson / Jon Batiste / Michael Price / Raphael Saadiq / Shawn Carter / Stephen Stills / Tyler Johnson
“Looka there, liquor in my hand
The grandbaby of a moonshine man
Gadsden, Alabama
Got folk down Gavelston, rooted in Louisiana
They used to say I spoke too country
Then the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough
Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but
If that ain’t country, tell me, what is?”