Erin Rae, “He’s Not Free,” // GemsOnVHS™
One of the first artists ever to grace the GemsOnVHS stage (virtual stage?) is/was Erin Rae McKaskle. We go way back, and reminisce fondly about a Nashville that feels long-gone. Back when we’d sit for hours in the summer, late into the AM hours of the next morning, on Cafe Coco’s shabby outdoor porch. That’s where i’d met her, trading the guitar and songs between the group of other weirdos, artists and the like. Real magic always seemed to happen those nights, collaborations and friendships born. Now it’s a different place, some of the magic is gone, or at least it is to me. I guess that’s just part of getting older though, and hopefully you manage to change right along with the things around you.
Erin certainly has, seeming only to get better and better, not to mention successful. She went from making a Tiny Desk Concert submission (https://youtu.be/8RmwZkcbFvs) to being on the damn Tiny Desk Concert (https://youtu.be/fRAC14k_-_4). Not many can say that. Hey Erin, give me a shoutout on air next time! Anyhow, we met up this year, down at the cabin she been livin’ in, and made some magic in modern times, just to show we both still had it.
Here are a collection of other videos with Erin we’ve released in the past;
https://youtu.be/o0gupu1Zca0
https://youtu.be/i91Af4-YuEM
https://youtu.be/keFZyoqa3c4
Lyrics:
Cold water glasses sweatin
Sunday papers turnin
Pages on verandas
In the southern mind
Early summer peaches
Honeysuckle vines
And all them Georgia voters
Stood in all day lines
Oooh tell me- he’s not free, is he?
Ooh tell me- he’s not free.
8 o clock arrival
Quiet fifteen after
Elementary classrooms
All across the south
On the television
Murder by policemen
Pledges of allegiance
Come from babies’ mouths
Ooh tell me- he’s not free, is he?!
Ooh tell me- he’s not free.
X2
You say the old ways died
A long time ago
If you say the old ways died-
You lied, you know?
Ooh tell me he’s not free, is he?
X4
Erin had this to say about her song today and what she had in mind writing it,
“Stacey Abrams has done heroic work to ensure fair elections for all Georgians. Ahead of this incredibly important run-off election I wanted to share this song I wrote back in June, after learning about the level of voter suppression that still goes on today and the killing of George Floyd. If you feel so led, please donate to Fair Fight to aid in continuing that work.” https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fair-fight-1
1st AC and production assistance by Ade Ogunnaike!
This video was made possible by our executive producers, Eric Valente, Irvin Maddox, Amy Ennis, Mark Riley, Jonathon Hammond, Kenny Schmidt, Josh Collins, Edward Siple, Brady Jones, VJ Arizpe, and Richard Harmon.
GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
We’re on instagram (@gemsonvhs or @anthonysimpkins)
Like us on FB too! (http://www.facebook.com/gemsonvhs)
www.gemsonvhs.com
@koryjacques5811
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
2026 and I still cry after hearing her
@Free_Bird420
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
My name is Free, and the chorus of this song sends such chills up my spine. That kinda happens a lot with a name like mine, but this is like finding a song written to you by a stranger. Wild.
@xion37
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Holy shit…my pores hurt cuz I had chills this entire song
@jimmywingo6243
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
He's Not Free
@HolsieHollyTaplin
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Aw the kitten topped it off for me
@koryjacques5811
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Her voice gives me goosebumps. Truly a gem. Thank you so much Miss Rae and thank you Anthony for all you bring to this world with these treasures
@brittneywright8763
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Wish she would put this song on Spotify!!!
@mattsallows5896
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
this melody tho…
@AudreyMacAlpine
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Beautiful
@adrienfonlupt1139
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Merci aux Lagniappe Sessions
@weaponizedham826
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
when is this coming to Itunes
@4WCmOozpni
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
What a great song. If there is a way to get it on Spotify, please do. I promise to listen to it at least 100 times.
@jeffwarner4225
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
I am free! Excellent!
@Emu_Phillips
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
That was beautiful. Thank you
@stevenr7919
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Imagine if she covered Take Me Home, Country Roads…..
@christopherhenderson7303
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Brilliant song! … I was one of those voters…
@bourbonHillKY
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Not fan of lyrics necessarily but beautiful song. She is a great talent.
@MrBobbystyles
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Excellent all around .
@LineShotPhotography
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Hauntingly captivating voice.
@BabyJesus66
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
1.5 speed sounds like a 1920s record on a Victrola.
@ariela8003
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
A beautiful song, brought me to tears.
@ChelseaArtunez
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Gems… I've discovered that you truly share such remarkable hidden talent. Truly gems under pressure. Thank you for uncovering them 💎
@DylanWalshe
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
This 👐
@donsal.t.1765
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Who is she talking about?
@ecoecho1982
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Giving me goosebumps…
@cedarriver
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
She's SO good, make sure to watch her older videos on this channel as well! Chords and lyrics folks.
As always also un Ultimate Guitar: https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/erin-rae/hes-not-free-chords-3490316
D tuning (2 half steps down), no Capo.
If you wanna play in standard tuning, transpose all chords 2 half steps down.
That way, E becomes D, F#m becomes Em, A becomes G, G#m becomes F#m, C#m becomes Bm, D becomes C
D is played as a Barree here, so 557775
Intro E F#m A
Verses E F#m A F#m / E F#m A F#m
Chorus A G#m C#m D / A G#m C#m D (additional C#m in the second chorus)
Bridge C#m G#m A F#m C#m / G#m A F#m A
Outro E F#m A E
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
Cold water glasses sweating, Sunday papers turning
Pages on verandas in the southern mind
Early summer peaches, honeysuckle vines
All them Georgia voters stood in all-day lines
[Chorus]
Ooooh, tell me he's not free, is he?
Ooooh, tell me he's not free
[Verse 2]
Eight o'clock arriving, quiet 15 after
Elementary classrooms all across the south
On the television, murdered by a policeman
Pledges of allegiance come from baby's mouths
[Chorus]
Ooooh, tell me he's not free, is he?
Ooooh, tell me he's not free
[Bridge]
You say the old ways died long time ago
You say the old ways died, you know, you know
[Chorus]
Ooooh, tell me he's not free, is he?
Ooooh, tell me he's not free
Ooooh, tell me he's not free, is he?
Ooooh, tell me he's not free
[Outro]
@EwigWinterreich
February 25, 2026 at 6:48 am
Erin is a real gem.
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