Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Paul Gilbert - Maintain a Sweet and Cheerful Countenance

WROC is my first vocal album since 2016. The lyrics were inspired by the etiquette book, "George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior." I truly enjoyed turning Washington's Rules of Civility (WROC) into ROCK songs! I hope my vocal and guitar melodies will stir your heart and improve your table manners. Spit Not in the Fire!

"Maintain a Sweet and Cheerful Countenance" - Written and Produced by Paul Gilbert
Lyrics inspired by Washington Rules: 105, 15 and accidental hallucinations by Claude

I wrote this song early in the project, and I was still relying on Claude the AI to provide me with accurate Washington rules. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Claude would easily hallucinate new ones! Fortunately, he didn't stray far, and Washington rules 105 and 15 are pretty close to the final lyric. So I maintained a cheerful countenance!


Paul Gilbert: Vocals and Guitar
Doug Rappoport: Guitar
Timmer Blakely: Bass
Nick D'Virgilio: Drums

Everyone sang the harmonies

Video Shooting and Editing: Jon Meyer

Lyrics:

MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET...
AND CLEANSE YOUR TEETH
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE

MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET...
AND CLEANSE YOUR TEETH
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE

MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AMONGST COMPANY
MAINTAIN A SWEET...
AND CLEANSE YOUR TEETH
MAINTAIN A SWEET AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
AND CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE
YEAH!

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