Everytown for Gun Safety is a US-based charity that advocates for evidence-based solutions to ending gun violence. More than eleven million people are involved in the movement, including mayors, teachers, survivors of gun violence, and gun owners. All proceeds from "Nursery Rhyme" will go to the charity, supporting its work to support and educate, take action, and build the movement.
“In light of recent events, I’ve decided to release a new song called ‘Nursery Rhyme’ - a song I've had in my back pocket that I’ve been hesitant to release ever since recording it in summer of 2025," Morby says. It is far and away the darkest and most violent song I’ve ever written and because of that, I am releasing it on my Bandcamp only - a corner of the internet that one has to willingly go to, as I did not want to run the risk of the song popping up in any sort of algorithm or entering someone’s psyche without permission. So, trigger warning: Nursery Rhyme contains themes of gun violence against children."
"Themes, of course, that we are inundated with on our screens on a daily basis," he continues. "Themes that, as a new father, make my heart break for the parents and their children in a way that was not possible before. But writing Nursery Rhyme has provided a space for my anger to temporarily live. Maybe you can put some of your collective anger into listening to the song and maybe it can also provide you with a bit of catharsis. I hope so.
"It’s hard to know what else to do in a country where the powers-that-be worship inside the church of weapons of mass destruction and value profits over the lives of our children. Sometimes you just gotta scream. It is also not lost on me that, as we approach the tenth anniversary of ‘Beautiful Strangers’, I have once again found myself writing another topical protest song surrounding gun violence in America. A decade on, though, this new song is much less optimistic than its predecessor.
"With that being the case, I thought it important to bring in the mighty Lonnie Holley to come cleanse the air after my singing cuts out. Once the dust settles, Lonnie blesses the song with his wisdom and hope. Thank you, Lonnie. It’s such an honor to share some sonic space with you.
"I recorded ‘Nursery Rhyme’ after dropping into a session happening at Sam Cohen's studio last year while he was working with the great French band Petite-Vallée, and we ended up recording this song with them as the backing band. Cochemea Gastelum later stopped by to lay down some saxophone.
"You can pay what you want for ‘Nursery Rhyme’ and all proceeds will go directly to Everytown for Gun Safety - an organization I wholeheartedly support and believe in. Sending love to you all, Xoxo km”