A finished recording. 

Nine Minutes Down (I Can’t Breathe)  © Joanne Lurgio Publishing, BMI
Words & Music by Joanne Lurgio
Joanne Lurgio, vocals & acoustic guitar
Jeffrey Scornavacca, electic guitar
Recorded & Produced by Jeffrey Scornavacca
****

Last night, I cried for a man I’ve never known
Saw him on the tv face down in the road
Seen the police cuff him they laid him on the ground
Dug his knee into his neck, he pinned George down 

9 minutes down, I can’t breathe
9 minutes down, I can’t breathe
9 minutes down, I can’t breathe  

I read George Floyd was a black man, 46 years old,  
A 6ft gentle giant with a kind, peaceful soul
Father, son, brother, many called him friend
‘til that dreadful day, his life was crushed to its end

CHORUS

He bought a pack of cigarettes with a $20 bill
If he didn’t know the bill was bad, now he never will
The police pulled him from his car, in fear he did resist
4 cops standing over him the plot began to twist

CHORUS

The people passing by gathered ‘round in disbelief
When they heard the weakened voice of George begging for relief
Please let me stand, my stomach hurts, help me I can’t breathe
Chauvin pressed his knee; it was murder in the street
 
9 minutes down, I can’t breathe
9 minutes down, I can’t breathe
9 minutes down, I can’t breathe   
I can’t breathe 
I can’t breathe 
Mama, I can’t breathe
Mama, come for me
I can’t breathe

https://www.joannelurgio.com
words & music by Joanne Lurgio, BMI
Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing, BMI  IPI#1075983028
Recorded by Jeffrey Scornavacca

Nine Minutes Down (I Can't Breathe)

Re-Write

**** YOU ARE NOT ALONE****
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. 800-273-8255
Please, don't be afraid to reach out for help ...  Call a friend, counselor or.... 
Keep Holding On xoxo
***
Keep Holding On  
©Joanne Lurgio

Look into her eyes you’ll see the sadness
Reflecting from her heart torn open wide
She smiles through the pain to hide the madness
Can’t calm the churning sea inside
*
In her lonely rage hope escapes her
Swept away in sorrow's swelling tides
Wrings her hands in anger, bows her head to pray
Then crawls in the empty chair and cries
*
Keep holding on
When the burden feels too heavy  
And the thread you grasp is frayed
Please, Keep Holding On
*
Hear his anguish bellow through the silence 
When his demons come to torment late at night 
They taunt and shame his frail and failed existence
Their damning voices twist in flickered light 
*
His ravaged body knows his mind deceives him            					 
Struggles for the strength to make things right     
Lonesome desperation defeats his will to win                          
He contemplates if living’s worth the fight 
*
Keep holding on
When the burden feels too heavy
And the thread you grasp is frayed
Please, Keep Holding On
Keep Holding On
**
In the morning know the sun will rise again
To shine a light of hope for you to reach out to a friend
Who'll stay beside you help you heal your shattered soul
You are not alone
*
Keep holding on
When the burden feels too heavy  
And the thread you grasp is frayed
Please, Keep Holding On
Keep Holding On
**
****YOU ARE NOT ALONE****
Don't be afraid to reach out for help ...  Call a friend, counselor or.... 
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hours: Available 24 hours. 800-273-8255

***
https://www.joannelurgio.com​
Joanne Marie Lurgio BMI Writer IPI: 464930439
Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing, BMI IPI:1075983028

Keep Holding On

For the innocent victims and their survivors of the endless mass shootings in the US. 
(Work tape)
It's Time to Fly 
(c)Joanne Lurgio, Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing

Rock a bye baby don’t you cry
Come little angel we’ll fly fly fly
Give your mama and papa a kiss goodbye
Sweet little angel it’s time to fly

Thinking and praying it won’t change a thing
When the stranger takes aim and the killings begin
Run for the closet with hopes he don’t see
As the bullets are screeching fall down to your knees

The teachers are guarding protect best they can
They have practiced the drills and all know the plan
Quiet, be still pray he doesn’t come in
Oh, they ever imagine such mayhem would happen to them

Rock a bye baby don’t you cry
Come little angel we’ll fly fly fly
Give your mama and papa a kiss goodbye
Sweet little angel it’s time to fly

Mamas and papas are waiting to hear
If their babies survived their cruelest nightmare
Will their beds stay cold and pictures unchanged
Or be one of the lucky to hold them and comfort their pain

Oh! When is enough is enough to wake up to the truth of these killing machines
We must be stronger and louder than the people in power
For our children, their future, their dreams.

Rock a bye babies don’t you cry
Come little angels we’ll fly fly fly
Give your mamas and papas a kiss goodbye
Come little angels, it’s time to fly
Sweet little angels, it’s time to fly
https://www.joannelurgio.com​
Joanne Marie Lurgio BMI Writer IPI: 464930439
Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing, BMI IPI: 1075983028

It’s Time to Fly

Work Tape

Reason Enough to Start Again
©Joanne Lurgio

Rise up from the ashes crawl from ‘neath the weight
of a world that came down crashing over me
I kiss the earth beneath my feet spit the dirt out from my teeth
Stand, stretch my bones, I can breathe

Look up to the sky the blackened clouds are rolling by
It’s been too long since I have seen the sun
They leave behind a trail of broken dreams and life derailed
But they did not break my will to overcome

I have survived, my story doesn’t end
Pick up the pieces, start again
I feel the power of family, love, and friends 
Reason enough to start again

Mend the old foundation, tear down crumbling walls 
Build them filled with hope for years to come
I won’t sit around and wait just trusting hands of fate
While there is too much living to be done. 

I have survived, my story doesn’t end
Pick up the pieces, start again
I feel the power of family, love, and friends 
Reason enough to start again

We hold the future in our hands
    Lie in defeat or rise up when we get a second chance 

I have survived, my story doesn’t end
Pick up the pieces, start again
I feel the power of family, love, and friends 
Reason enough to start again
Reason enough
All Reasons enough
Reason enough…. I’ll start again

www.joannelurgio.com​
Joanne Marie Lurgio BMI Writer IPI: 464930439
Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing, BMI IPI: 1075983028

Reason Enough to Start Again

We hold these truths self-evident  Equality &Justice for all

FOR ALL
© Joanne Lurgio

I learned when I was young
Live by the Golden Rule
Do unto to others as you’d want done to you
Care for the children, the hungry and the weak
Let kindness be the practice that you preach

(chorus)
Never turn a blind eye to hatred
We cannot be silent to the lies
Family, friends, neighbors & strangers
We all hold these truths self-evident
Equality & Justice for all. 

Who do you love?
What color is your skin?
How do you pray when you let the spirit in?
Care for my body, my temple my choice
Defending freedom with my voice

(chorus) 

Stand in the light with eyes open
Hands together for humanity

Never turn a blind eye to hatred
We cannot be silent to the lies
Family, friends, neighbors & strangers
We all hold these truths self-evident
Equality & Justice for all
Equality & Justice for all

www.joannelurgio.com​
Joanne Marie Lurgio BMI Writer IPI: 464930439
Joanne Lurgio Music Publishing, BMI IPI: 1075983028

For All

This track is from the album Find a Dream...catch it if you dare and is available for purchase on CD Baby here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lurgio

I Am Who I Am

Rewrite of Marie, a story inspired singing with my friends in the memory units, many all wrapped under the name "Marie"
Marie

(c) Joanne Lurgio, BMI
Rough draft

Her hair, silver, wiry and wild; her hands, ghostly and frail.
She studies me through squinted eyes; at times she drifts away.
But, she returns like time stood still recalling days gone by, 
Her mama said, “Don’t worry when times get rough, Marie, now, don’t you cry.
*
You’ll still get to heaven if you don’t know the way
You’ll fly on angel wings come that glory day
Wish on every sunrise, rest your weary mind
When memories start to fade don’t be afraid, love will survive”  
*
I see Marie, Thursdays at 3; we’re strangers each time we meet.
She says, “You look familiar, have we met before,” as she settles down into her seat.
She’s been waiting for her husband to take her home says, 
“He’s late, I hope nothing’s gone wrong, 
But, if you have room, if you wouldn’t mind, when you leave,
would you take me along?” 
*
You’ll still get to heaven if you don’t know the way
You’ll fly on angel wings come that glory day
Wish on every sunrise, rest your weary mind
When memories start to fade don’t be afraid, love will survive”  
*
Marie holds wisdom beyond my years, it’s hiding, locked inside.
But, Thursdays at three we sing joyfully; I watch Marie come alive.
*
She says, “Oh, how I love you,” an’ blows me a kiss.
“Oh, God Bless you child you’re a heaven sent gift. 
Please tell me when; promise you’ll come back again.”
*
You’ll still get to heaven if you don’t know the way
You’ll fly on angel wings come that glory day
Wish on every sunrise, rest your weary mind
When memories start to fade don’t be afraid, love will survive.
Her Mama said, “Don’t worry I’m here by your side, 
Marie, now it’s time to fly”

Marie

Rough recording ... 
I really DID go down to the ocean in search of peace.  
https://www.joannelurgio.com 

In Search of Peace
(c)Joanne Lurgio

I went down to the ocean just to ease my weary mind
I was burdened by the ruckus of civility defiled 
Rising waves, rolling in, brought me to my knees
In chorus with the wailing wind I cried, in search of peace

Listen in the darkness can you hear the people cry
Children searching for their mamas who were stolen from their lives
Killing, lies and cover-ups; protests flood the streets                        
A fight for life, love and liberty, they march to a lifechanging beat

Strip away your righteousness, it will not serve you now
You were running with the devil; he was dragging you down
Fueling his fire every time you turn away
I pray, notorious, good trouble prevails to save the day

We are strong, meek and humble, broken and forlorn
Young and old, believing we can right the wicked wrongs
You, perched high on pedestals, the Lord can see your deeds
When you harm his home and family he cries, "you do unto me"

Strip away your righteousness, it will not serve you now
You were running with the devil; he was dragging you down
Fueling his fire every time you turn away
I pray, notorious, good trouble prevails to save the day

I went down to the ocean … in search of peace.

Joanne Lurgio

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