The one strum in the beginning suggests that the song will not be a capella, but it is. This mirrors the initial line that the song is not a protest, when it is. Nicely done, Niki. Also, lovely vocals and melody.

Absolutely spectacular work here, Niki. Beautiful a cappella, and lyrics that really hit heavy. Really well done.

your voice sounds so serene. I like the line "waitng for the bus to arrive" . Always great.

what a fantastic and powerful performance Niki.

Great track! The echo fits well for this and I liked the imagery the various forms of transportation not running provided (as well as a symbol in them).

Wow, really cool - my favorite part is definitely the last stanza. I didn't see it coming, and it moved me.

This melody is catchy, powerful, emotive, and peaceful - all in one.  Nice!

minenfeld

Right down to it

"Protest Song" (#427, 201227)

You deserve better than what you been gettin'
Oh and it's long overdue
Respect and understanding patience and grace
Everyone who knows you knows it's true

She needs compassion and he needs the same
Both wonder where to find a friend
Maybe we'd feel different if we'd act like everybody
Is doin' the best they can

I have no right to protest my thoughts are uninformed
My voice has no authority to claim
But I cannot stand idly by when human hearts are hurting
So still I stand in protest just the same

We teach each other how to treat each other
And sometimes we get it wrong
There's no need to panic we're in this thing together
Just tryin' to walk each other home

Tonight we need no army to fight for what is right
Only what we carry in our hands
A candle to shine mercy on the ones who need it most
Might it help us understand

Week 53 - Protest Song (201227)

This is a song for when you have a friend stuck on a path of suffering but you can only do so much to help them.  I found writing the song helped me empathize with, or reconcile, the combination of what the outside world sees of this person's choices and what they can't see for themselves.  How many of you have been there with a loved one on a dangerous road with their blinders on?

I carry that rock
All over town
Someday I’ll bury it
Deep underground

I carry that rock
All over town
Someday I’m gonna bury it
Deep underground

The good book says
I’ll take my lumps
The story goes
Gotta turn another cheek

The good book says
In sickness and health
One day I will find out, just for myself

My friends all tell me
I’m losing my self
My dreams that were golden
Look mighty gray

When I’m awake, I make many dreams
But I just sleep, all damn day

I’m not who I was, but what was I anyway?
I’m not who I was, but who am I anyway?
The sun shall set, and my colors may fade.
The sun shall set, and my colors may fade.

Carry that Rock (The Good Book Says)

NIKKI DEAN

WHERE ARE YOU?

I co-wrote this song with my friend from high school, Mike Beedle, back in 1974 while we were jamming on the piano and 12-string acoustic.  For some reason, this song never made it into our band's playlist so I decided to go back and revisit it and update as a signoff to 2020.

Prelude To Controlled Oblivion

Will the Trees Remember Our Names
by Tamora Wilson and Laurie Easterling © 12/20/2020 New York, NY and Oak Ridge, TN

Photo by Tamora Wilson, Appalachian Trail near NYC

I’ve been a part of this forest
As long as I can remember
I know every brook and tree
Hiked through her valleys and hills
January through December
She feels like a mother to me

I’ve learned how to read wildfires
Fighting flames far from my home
Now I teach all I’ve seen
As I lead a group up the ridge
I see the smoke and grab my phone
Not too late to call in the team

Chorus:
Will the trees remember our names
We fight to save them from the flames
Hold us in their memories
As the years become centuries
Will the trees remember our names

We all don our gear and grab shovels
The fire grows like it’s alive
My students tremble at the sight
Branches start to burn overhead
As the rest of the team arrives
We will battle through the night

Chorus

Bridge:
Though scarred the forest will survive
She nurtures saplings through the winter
Whispering stories of history
Rebuilding the network together

Chorus

Tamora Wilson and Laurie Easterling - Will The Trees Remember Our Names - 1:1:21, 4.15 PM

They Sang Alleluia
by Erin Wolf (ft. the Meta Wolf Singers), Laurie & David Easterling © 12/31/2020 Little Chute, WI and Oak Ridge, TN

In true Easterling fashion, video: https://youtu.be/Ll_W3b1FgHc

Rose made her last trip to carry water from the river
The day before the well was installed
The people gathered round, waiting for the sound
Water gushed up and rained down on them all (They sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

Mara tried not to be lonely and brought a meal to a friend
Gave a hug and went back out the door
Stopped by the cemetery on a cold day in February
And sat a while with those who’ve gone before (She sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

They stood anxiously with toes on the painted borderline
And watched for a face they recognized
They heard a familiar song, rising above the throng
Reunited, tears of joy filled their eyes (They sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

They Sang Alleluia

Copyright Erin Wolf 2019-2020

*This track was originally released in 2019 featuring GarageBand hip-hop loops (link below). The acoustic version happened after stumbling upon the hand-written lyrical notes on New Year's Eve 2020. What better way to end a weird year than to create weird acoustic covers of one's own music?*

www.soundcloud.com/erinwolf/are-you-there

are you
are you 
are you still with me
are you 
are you there

stop
hands are shaking
nerves are quaking
heart is racing
thinking of you

and oh
the crescendo building
almost breaking
fear is rising
but i can't back down

why
clock still running
moments ticking
keep it moving
are we almost there

oh 'cuz you know
can't stop pacing
won't stop pushing
keep on fighting

this urge to flee
keep on fighting
this urge to flee

are you 
are you
are you still with me
are you
are you there

stop
silence ringing
ever growing
heart is aching
waiting on you

and oh
are you listening
hearing me
wanting me anymore

'cuz all your
power grabbing
passion crashing
trust is breaking
where did you go

oh there's no
recognizing
understanding
comprehending
what just happened here
what just happened here

are you
are you
are you still with me
are you
are you there

Are You There (Acoustic)

This is not a protest
This is not a cry for help
This is not an outpour
Im just trying hard to stay
This is not the answer
This is not in self defence
Im just walking silently through these long cold days

We are in a trial
We are in the fight of our lives
We re not in denial
We re just reaching out today 

We are merely mortals
Waiting for the bus to arrive
Cause the trains arent running
And the ferry cant get Over the waves

Escape escape
There’s no escape
Alive survive and give
Escape escape
There’s no escape
Arise  survive we live

not a protest song SAW 2020 wk53

Copyright Erin Wolf 2021
*Song A Week 2020 - Week 53 Bonus Prompt: Protest Songs*
Trigger Warning: Conversation & lyrics surrounding the #MeToo movement re: sexual assault & sexual abuse. 

National Sexual Assault Hotline (U.S.A.)
online.rainn.org | 800.656.4673
Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Asalto Sexual (EE.UU.)
rainn.org/es | 800.656.4673

Image credit: https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/identities/2019/10/4/20852639/me-too-movement-sexual-harassment-law-2019

The #MeToo movement was originally started by Tarana Burke (pictured) in the early '00s as a way of letting victims and survivors of sexual abuse know they were not alone, that they were seen, and that they were believed. Her advocacy work continues today. The story shared in the lyrics is part of my own and does not reflect the experiences of all survivors.

For more resources, visit www.rainn.org or www.metoomvmt.org

---

Let me take a moment to introduce myself
No my story ain’t one for putting on the shelf
I used to be known by the name “1 in 4”
But Lord knows it’s probably more

To be hurt by those who said they loved me
And knowing I told, but they still walk freely
I don’t speak these words with vanity or pride
It’s time to stop making us run and hide

Me, too
I (we) don’t say it for your pity
Me, too
I (we) don’t say it to be witty
Me, too
Speak the truth for the others
Me, too
My (our) siblings, sisters, brothers, too
Me, too

They took what they wanted in their fire
In their power lust, not desire
Breaking you in all the ways only they can know
Leaving you feeling helpless despite your “NO”

Then when the truth comes out as it seems to do
It’s hard to know who will stand by you
So few believed, so little justice served
Yet somehow we keep on fighting through, undeterred

not a protest song SAW 2020 wk53

niki s

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