Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special's Van Zant brothers write 'Sweet Florida' tribute song for DeSantis

Down in sweet Florida, our governor is red, white and blue.

Down in sweet Florida, he’s shooting us straight, tellin’ us the truth.

“Sweet Florida,” a new song recorded by Jacksonville’s Johnny and Donnie Van Zant pays tribute to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s running for reelection this year and raising campaign funds from merchandise inspired by the song.

The song debuted April 1 on “Fox & Friends,” where the Van Zants and DeSantis were interviewed before the song’s premiere. A video that features the governor listening to the song with Johnny Van Zant has been viewed more than 115,000 times on YouTube. Audio versions of the song are also available on major music streaming services.

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"Well, we ain’t been locked down, we still have our freedom," Johnny Van Zant sings. "We can still see our friends and family, oh, our kids are in school and we can go to church on Sunday. And it’s all because DeSantis knows how to lead.”

Johnny and Donnie Van Zant were raised in Jacksonville and live near each other in Clay County. Johnny Van Zant has been the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987, taking over the position originally held by his late brother, Ronnie. Donnie Van Zant is a founding member of .38 Special and retired from live performances in 2013. The brothers put out a pair of hit country records in 2005 and '07 as Van Zant and are reportedly working on a new gospel record.

With the song’s release, supporters of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can also buy "Sweet Florida" T-shirts, guitar picks and boot-shaped beverage coozies. The merchandise, which ranges from $10 for a pair of "Sweet Florida" guitar picks to $59 for a hooded pullover, appear on a website paid for by DeSantis' re-election campaign. A "GRD X Van Zant" poster lists for $25.

'Sweet Florida' lyrics

The press don’t like it but it sure does get my business

He stands up for what he believes

So don’t come down here trying to change things

We’re doing all right in the Sunshine State

Stay out of our business, leave our governor alone

Down in sweet Florida

Our governor is red, white and blue

Down in sweet Florida

He’s shooting us straight, tellin’ us the truth

Yeah, that’s right

You can take it to the bank

He don’t care what Brandon thinks in the White House

He’s fighting for the right to keep our state free

Well, he’s taking on the swamp and calling out Dr. Fauci

He’s the only one who fights for you and me

Yeah, we’re free

Down in sweet Florida

Our governor, he’s red, white and blue

Down in sweet Florida

He’s shootin’ us straight and tellin’ us the truth

Well, we ain’t been locked down

We still have our freedom

We can still see our friends and family

Oh, our kids are in school and we can go to church on Sunday

And it’s all because DeSantis knows how to lead

Down in sweet Florida

Our governor, he’s red, white and blue

Down in sweet Florida

He’s shootin’ us straight and tellin’ us the truth

Down in sweet, sweet, sweet Florida

Our governor, he’s red, white and blue

Down in sweet Florida

He’s shootin’ us straight and tellin’ us the truth

He’s a military man with the courage to withstand it all

Yeah, we’re free down in Florida

Our governor, he’s red, white and blue

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'Sweet Florida': Van Zants write song for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis