1. |
Iraq, GLBT, Present Day
01:48
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I was born different and the streets aren't safe,
my house isn't safe 'cause they suspect.
I was born different and that's not okay with them,
I don't know if it's okay, I just want to survive.
If I love another man,
why are they so afraid that they come to wipe me out?
If I'm not quite like them,
how am I so apart that they'll send me to
He-eh-eh-eh-ell?
(*solo*)
I was born different, so get me away,
get me to somewhere where I won't be hated.
I was born different, get me out of Iraq,
send me through the safe houses, they see there we're all the same.
If I love another woman,
why are they so afraid that they come to wipe me out?
If I'm not quite like them,
how am I so apart that they'll send me to
He-eh-eh-eh-ell?
Waiting for the ceasefire,
waiting for this to end.
Waiting until I can trust anyone,
trust anyone again.
I can't trust anywuh, ah-un, ah-un, ah-ah-ah-un
while they might think that I'm a stain
upon Creation,
that my own Creator might want me
de-eh-eh-eh-ead!
(*short percussive piano coda*)
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2. |
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Mistakes have been made.
Everyone’s dead.
You and I might be the last two still alive.
Your tribe killed my tribe,
but my tribe fought back.
The ensuing blasts made shadows out of the dead.
If we can’t call it even then can we call it off?
Could we make amends? Could we ever be friends?
Won’t you show me how it ends, but remember, remember,
we may be the last two people on the moon.
Deaths have been counted,
whole cities lie totaled,
and all we’ve lost through this is gone for good.
Did you lose your family?
I’m sorry to hear that,
though when the drums were beating I was cheering.
If we can’t call it even then can we call it off?
There’s all sorts of rage built up by this stage
We’ve been stuck in this cage, but remember, remember,
We may be the last two people on the moon.
(solo)
I won’t draw my gun.
The trigger is locked,
and I left my ammo out in the street.
One bullet would do,
Then you’d be alone.
That’s what our ancestors thought they wanted.
(instrumental)
What was this all for?
I forget how it started.
Maybe the ghosts of our parents would remember.
You’ve beautiful features.
Could I ever love you,
now you’re the only girl who’s left alive?
If we can’t forget then can we brew respect?
Could you ever smile? It’s been such a while,
and we’ve paid in blood, so remember, remember,
we could bring peace to the Moon.
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3. |
Pen Pal Pt. 1
03:22
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I haven’t written for a while. I hope you’re well.
How are you getting along now your sister has moved?
Did you enjoy her marriage dance?
I would’ve liked to come to Sudan to wish her well and laugh and sing with you
My parents have arranged it so, I can come to visit you once I turn 18
I can’t wait to, sleep in a cot in your hut by the river with the African night lulling us to sleep.
I haven’t heard from you recently. I hope you’re not still mad.
Highschool was supposed to be a cakewalk but that was a lie.
Have you met anyone you’ve got your eye on?
I’ve got my eye on this boy in the grade above me.
It will be, two more years now, there’s nowhere I’d, rather be.
You know I miss you, can’t wait to meet you.
It’s never been this long since I’ve heard from you.
If you couldn’t write for a while you’d tell me.
I’m trying not to worry but it’s hard.
(solo)
Mom says, come in, you need to see the news.
All of east Sudan is up in flames.
That means Darfur where you live.
So tell me friend, tell me you’re okay!
Tell me friend, tell me you’re okay!
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4. |
Pen Pal Pt. 2
04:23
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I’ve been running as fast as my feet can carry me
I don’t dare turn around; I know there’s nothing back there to be saved~~~!
Saved~~~!
Oh, oh, oh.
I was separated from my family in the attack.
I’ve been hoping they got away, but I don’t dare go back, I’d be lost~~~!
Burned~~~!
Oh, oh, oh.
Not everyone could get away.
Our fathers fell, our mothers were dragged away.
The old and the young in a mass of blood went down,
helicopter rockets set this place~~~ ablaze~~~!
(instrumental)
It’s the end of the world,
I’ve never known fear until this day!
They’re funded by the government, that’s how the rumors go.
To think they pitched the Janjaweed against us, that they want us all dead~~~!
Removed~~~!
Oh, oh, oh.
Half of me blames the rebels, for provoking this vengeance.
The other half of me finally feels like I understand why they feel the need to fight~~~!
Fight~~~!
Oh, oh, oh.
Not everyone could get away.
Our fathers fell, our mothers were dragged away.
The old and the young in a mass of blood went down,
helicopter rockets set this place~~~ ablaze~~~!
(instrumental)
It’s the end of the world,
I’ve never known fear until this day!
Who approaches?
Who approaches?
Is friend or foe approaching?
Has my time come to die?
I can’t run any more.
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5. |
Pen Pal Pt. 3
04:52
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The camp is my refuge, the camp is my haven
I’m safe in Chad for the Janjaweed won’t come
to tear me away and end my life,
but danger lies all around.
We all are thirsty, our throats are all parched.
There’s firewood nearby, but it’s outside of the camps
It’s dangerous to get it, the women always go.
Sometimes they come back bloody in their shame.
I wrote you a letter, I hope you understand
why I haven’t written, things have been out of hand.
You can reach me here, but forget my old address;
I can’t go back there anymore.
Three weeks go by, your reply arrives, things suddenly look better.
Eagerly I open it, my tired hands fumble with your letter.
A ticket falls out (PRAISE BE!)
I’m overcome, I stare, can’t speak, can’t say a thing for wonder,
but there’s that little doubt, dawning upon me.
Thank you for everything, stay in touch
but there are many more here with no such friend as you.
I have come very far, to Chad’s camps from my home in Sudan
but fleeing more is exactly what I must not do,
for there are many more here who need deliverance too.
I’m sending you a friend with my ticket, meet them at the airport.
They’ll be wearing my red-and-white peace shawl, and knows my
story. So with love from Chad I close,
to go build a new foundation.
So with love from Chad…
To build a new foundation…
All my love from Chad…
We must build a new foundation…
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For Greater Consciousness Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
For Greater Consciousness is a socially-conscious piano rock ensemble led by Benjamin Saalbach-Walsh and based in Pittsburgh, PA. Their music combines beauty, humor, and uplifting social commentary. They are going to save the world.
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