1. |
My Name is June
04:03
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I am a mother and a daughter, a lover and a friend
The world that I once knew is gone, impossible to comprehend
Once I had a gentle man and he loved me to the moon
They call me by another name but still, my name is June.
Now I keep my head down, I don't look them in the eye
Every dress I own is red and the driver is a spy
Once I had a mother, a fighter through and through
They call me by another name, but the name she gave to me is June.
It's June. And all I have left is my name.
How can you do this? How can you let this be?
How can you do this? You're a woman just like me.
My name is June. And all I have left is my name.
You asked me if I'm happy. I told you what they made me say.
The truth is: Death is preferable to what I'm living through today
Once I had a little girl that I carried in my womb
They call me by another name, but now you know my name is June.
It's June. And all I have left is my name.
How can you do this? How can you let this be?
I'm a woman, I am human, I'm not a commodity.
How can you do this? How can you let this be?
How can you do this? You're a woman just like me...
...a mother and a daughter, a lover and a friend
The world I knew is upside down, impossible to comprehend
My daughter is out there somewhere and I pray to see her soon
She's the only reason I stay alive.
How can you do this? How can you let this be?
I am a woman I am not a commodity
How can you do this? How can you let this be?
How can you do this? You're a woman just like me
My name is June. And all I have left is my name.
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2. |
Blue
06:07
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Lyrics:
Blue, blue. I focus on the blue
I float far away to survive another day
I focus on the blue
Blue like a summer sky
Blue like the wings of a damselfly
Stray cornflower in a field of rye
And blue like the sea
I keep my eyes focused on the ceiling,
go blue to avoid all feeling
I fly to another place
to get through the ceremony,
this monthly rite of matrimony
And if I pray and if I believe,
I will conceive and I'll have a baby
So I focus on the blue. I focus on the blue
I float far away to survive another day
I focus on the blue
Blue violets in spring
The box that held my wedding ring
Indigo of a bunting's wing
and blue like the sea
I keep my eyes focused on the ceiling,
go blue to avoid all feeling
I fly to another place
to get through the ceremony,
this monthly rite of matrimony
And if we pray and if we believe,
I will conceive and they'll take my baby
So I focus on the blue. I focus on the blue
I float far away to survive another day
I focus on the blue
Sunlight through blue bottle glass
Forget-me-nots and blue-eyed grass
The patterned hem of my daughter's dress
And blue like the sea
I keep my eyes focused on the ceiling,
go blue to avoid all feeling
I fly to a better place
to get through the rape and plunder
that tears my body and my soul asunder
And if I pray and if I believe,
I'll be redeemed and Blue will save me
So I focus on the blue, wild innocent blue.
I drown in blue, blue like the sea
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3. |
Closet Scrawl
03:53
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I was lying on the closet floor with my face toward the wall
Contemplating how to end it, when I noticed the scrawl
Someone had been here before
Someone had gotten a knife and etched letters in the wall
I traced them with my fingers but I didn't understand at all
It said "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum."
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
It seemed like a message from the other side
It seemed like a sign that I should stay alive
It made me want to live for another day
If only to find out what she was trying to say
When she wrote, "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum."
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
Later I found out what the message said
And I also found out that they found her dead
They found her hanging from a ceiling fan
She couldn't take it any more. Not one more single day.
But before she left she had one last thing to say:
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Don't let the bastards grind you down!
It seemed like a message from the other side
It seemed like a sign that I should stay alive
It made me want to live for another day
If only to live out what she was trying to say
She left me a message from the other side
Saying, "Hang on girl, you gotta stay alive.
You've still got a lot of living to do.
Don't let what happened to me, happen to you. No!
Don't let the bastards grind you down!
Don't let the bastards grind you down!
Don't let the bastards grind you down!
Don't let those bastards grind you down."
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4. |
Jezebel's
03:44
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There's a lawyer and an architect, a banker and a teacher
A painter and a riveter, a scientist and a preacher
We come from every walk of life. We had our own ambitions
But now we have to shed our pride along with any inhibitions
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's)
We cater to their every whim
At Jezebels (at Jezebel's)
We've tasted every flavor of sin
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's) at Jezebel's
Life ain't easy in this speakeasy
Still it's better than a handmaid always talking about the weather
There's plenty of liquor at the bar to make the creeps look better
There's plenty of fancy dresses to wear and plenty of pills to swallow
Plenty of ways to help you pretend that your life's not completely hollow
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's)
you cater to their every whim
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's)
We've tasted every flavor of sin
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's) at Jezebel's
We're keeping it sleazy in this speakeasy
Sometimes when the guy's not so hard on the eyes
You can pretend that you had a choice (here at Jezebel's)
And when he gives you a ring or asks you to sing
You can pretend that you have a voice (here at Jezebel's)
But don't think too much 'cause it'll fuck you up
You're never getting out alive (you're stuck at Jezebel's)
So pop all the pills and drink all you can take
'Cause it's the only escape, it's the only escape
When you're a Jezebel at Jezebel's (at Jezebel's)
You cater to their every whim
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's)
You cater to their every whim
At Jezebel's (at Jezebel's), at Jezebel's
We're keeping it sleazy (in this speakeasy)
Keeping it sleazy (in this speakeasy)
Keeping it sleazy in this speakeasy
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5. |
Sliver of Joy
04:12
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I tiptoe down the hallway, pussyfoot down the stairs
I creep across the backyard hoping no one's there to see me
On my way to take my sliver of joy
On my way to take my sliver of joy
My sliver of joy
The Commander's home is a nightmare, the Commander's wife is a shrew
But the end of the day holds a sweetness if I can make it up your room to see you
You, my sliver of joy
You, my sliver of joy
You're my sliver of joy
And I don't know if it's true love, or just a way to pass the the time
But here I am risking everything for a few hours of sublime and beautiful you
You, you my sliver of joy
You, my sliver of joy
You're my sliver of joy
And I don't know if it's true love, or just some kind of escape
But if they ever took you away, my heart would surely break to lose you
You, my sliver of joy
You, my sliver of joy
I found out yesterday, the man of mine that they took away
Is still alive, and he's working from the other side to find me
And if I ever see him again I will belong to him
But here and now, despite my vow it's you
'Cause you are my only sliver of joy
You are my only sliver of joy
So I tiptoe down the hallway, pussyfoot down the stairs
I creep across the backyard hoping no one's there to see me
On my way to take my sliver of joy
On my way to take my sliver of joy
'Cause you are my only sliver of joy
You're my sliver of joy.
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6. |
Feels So Good to Fly
04:35
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It would feel so good to fly...
I stand on the ledge looking over the edge
At the rocks and the waves below
That would destroy my body but liberate my soul
The baby in my arms sleeps quietly, breathes peacefully
The baby in my arms, she could fly with me
She would never have to know.
I could set her free...
No more twisted world, no more twisted desires
No more servitude, no more hypocrites and liars
Well there's got to be something better, beyond this great big sky
And we can get there if I'm brave, and if I take this leap and fly
If I fly, if I fly
And the baby in my arms, sleeps quietly, breathes peacefully
The baby in my arms, she could fly with me
She would never have to know.
'Cause it would feel so good to fly
I stand on the ledge, toes over the edge
Yeah it would feel so good to fly
I stand on the ledge, toes over the edge
And then I look back to say goodbye
I hear the panicked voices, reconsider my choices
'Cause the baby in my arms sleeps quietly, breathes peacefully
The baby in my arms, maybe she could have a better life than mine...
So I step off the ledge, away from the edge
And June takes my baby from my arms
And now my arms are spread like wings
The wind on my face swirls and sings
The rocks and the waves below
Are beckoning and I'm ready to go
Ready to go
'Cause it would feel so good to fly
I stand on the ledge, toes over the edge [x 3]
The air is sky, the sky is blue
I'm over the edge and now I know it's true
It feels so good to fly
It feels so good to fly
It feels so good, it feels so good, it feels so good to fly
It feels so good to fly
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7. |
Under His Eye
03:17
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I'm laying low, I'm laying low, I'm laying oh so low
I'm laying low, I'm laying low, I'm laying oh so low
Soon it will be my dying day
The time will come for them to pay
For all their crimes against humanity
I've got nothing to lose and I'm not afraid
I'm just biding my time until the moment is right, I'm laying low
I'm laying low, I'm laying low, I'm laying oh so low
Under his eye I pretend to pray
No one could doubt my piety
I lower my head and I obey
No one suspects that I could ever betray
Because I'm laying low, I'm laying low, I'm laying oh so low
Oh I'm just biding my time until the moment is right, yeah I'm laying low
I'm laying low
Sorry sisters but there's no other way
Collateral damage is a price we pay
We need to burn it all down to build a better day
We've got nothing to lose, we are the martyr maids
And no more laying low, no laying low, no more laying low
No more laying low, no laying low, no more laying low
No more laying low
This is my dying day
I will not cower, I will not obey
I will not run and I won't look away
I've got nothing to lose and I'm not afraid (under his eye)
This is your dying day (under his eye)
The time has come for you to pay (under his eye)
For all your crimes against humanity
I got a bomb up my sleeve and I'm not afraid (I'll lay you low)
I'll lay you low (I'll lay you low)
I'll lay you oh so low (I'll lay you low)
I'll lay you six feet low
I'm going down and you're going down with me
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8. |
Hannah
03:08
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Hannah, my sweet Hannah baby
Please don't, don't turn away
We have so little time here in this place.
Please turn around, let me see your face
Oh baby...
Hannah, my Hannah Banana
Do you remember, do you remember me?
Do you remember your dad and the things that he said?
The stories we told? Being tucked into bed?
Oh baby, our baby you'll always be
Hannah, my Hannah Banana
Baby, are they good to you?
Do you laugh, do you play, do you splash in the rain?
Do you sing silly songs? Do they know the refrain?
Do they tell you that they love you?
Hannah, sweet little Hannah
Baby, look me in the eye
Keep my love and the truth close to your heart
But keep yourself safe by playing the part
My baby, I'm telling you to lie
Hannah, Hannah Banana
Please believe me, I really tried
There's so much love and there's so much pain
And these minutes are ticking away
to maybe our last goodbye
Maybe our last goodbye
Maybe our last goodbye
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9. |
Letters from Gilead
03:22
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This is a letter to you
although I don't know who I'm writing to
And if it ever gets through
I don't know if there's anything that you could do
But there's things that you need to know.
So many here have given up on hope
I try to take it day by day
but I can feel my soul slipping away
So I'm writing you a letter, hoping that this letter
will somehow make it through to you
And if you find this letter and if you read this letter,
will it make any difference to you?
If it makes it through...
If you could see it all with your own eyes
I'm pretty sure that you would be surprised
I don't know what you see on the news
but no doubt they sanitize the views
There's only so much we can say.
They won't hesitate to cut away our tongues
And if we disobey
you can't conceive of the terrible price we pay
So if I write a letter, if I send this letter
will it somehow make it through to you?
And if you find this letter and if you read this letter
will it make any difference to you?
Will it make it through?
Mayday is on the move.
A stack of letters could finally prove
that the rumours you've heard are true.
We need your help and we're begging you
We're crying, "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
M'aidez! M'aidez!"
We're crying, "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
M'aidez! M'aidez!"
We're writing these letters, hoping that these letters
will somehow make it through to you
And if you see these letters, if you read these letters
it has to make a difference to you
We're writing these letters, hoping that these letters
will somehow make it through to you
And if you see all these letters, if you read all these letters
it has to make a difference to you
It has to make it through…
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
M'aidez! M'aidez!
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10. |
Oh Canada
04:10
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JUNE:
Oh Canada, I heard your voice on the radio
Saying you're still there with open arms
Oh Canada, I'm on my way
Over the border and through the woods
Your voice gave me solace and a little hope
Oh Canada, I'm on my way
Oh Canada, your voice on the car radio
The world outside was covered in snow
I had a getaway car but I couldn't go
Oh Canada, I could not go
Oh Canada, your voice stuck in my head
I'll either make it there or I'll end up dead
I had to postpone freedom for another day
But oh Canada, I'm on my way
MOIRA:
Oh Canada, you can't imagine what I've seen
You can't imagine what they've done to me
Oh Canada, please take me in
Oh Canada, are you the land of milk and honey?
Where I can read a book and spend my own money?
Oh Canada, you took me in
Oh Canada, a bowl of cereal can make me cry
Blessed be the Froot Loops, under his eye
No use asking the reasons why
I'm still alive and she had to die
I made it to the land of Canaan
Oh Canada, can I begin again?
LUKE:
Oh Canada, a man can break or a man can bend
Oh Canada, you took me in
Oh Canada, a man can break or a man can bend
Oh Canada, can you help me mend?
Oh Canada, a man can break or a man can bend
Oh Canada, I'm a broken man
Oh Canada, you've done so much but it's not enough
Diplomacy can only go so far
It's time to raise an army, start a righteous war
For my wife and child and so many more
So many more, so many more
They're trapped on the other side
Oh Canada, it's a genocide
Oh, Canada, it's time to rise!
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Haze & Dacey Richmond, Virginia
Haze & Dacey revel in lilting melodies, tight harmonies, and compelling rhythms that make toes tap and bodies sway.
Haze & Dacey recommends:
Oklahoma Lottery
by Karen Jonas
Karen Jonas' first album is a great collection of songs that tell intriguing stories. I can say I knew her back when; she played at a songwriter showcase I used to run and I got hooked on her voice.
go to albumIf you like Letters from Gilead, you may also like:
Phototherapy EP
by Fahim Rahman
A collection of twinkling bedroom folk-pop demos from Fahim Rahman that arcs from hushed intimacy to sweeping cinematic emotionality.
go to album
Introspective pop songs with transcendent melodies offer a joyful meditation on staying present in a world that often moves too fast.
go to album
The Same Mistakes
by Hot Left Pole
Soft-as-a-whisper folk music, with spiderwebs of guitar and vocal melodies as comforting as a lullaby.
go to album
Whispery indie folk from the UK, “Hard Work” cradles soft and gentle vocal melodies in a nest of acoustic guitars.
go to album
Feel The Ground You Walk Upon
by Lewis McLaughlin
Old-fashioned fiddles harmonize with rippling synths on the Scottish singer-songwriter's latest collection of original folk songs.
go to album
