I post a lot about music. Recently the music distribution site Bandcamp donated their profits to the ACLU, so I put links together for some of my favorite performers.
Laughter is the only thing that’ll keep you sane
In this world that’s crying more and more everyday
Don’t let evil get you down
In this madness spinning round and round
Today is the 12th and last day of Christmas. Thanks to you who’ve been following along. This last recording is from Alexander James Adams’ album WinterTide.
Comparisons keep us at odds-
There’s room inside for all our Gods-
Embrace the things that we all share,
For then we find compassion there-
To those that thirst, you offer drink,
It’s not as hard as you might think!
I first heard this song in the spring of 2000, shortly after the police who shot Amadou Diallo were acquitted. I heard an audience recording and read a transcript of the lyrics (Springsteen fandom tends to share such things) and then I heard it live in New York. Fans called it “41 Shots” or “the Diallo song”; its official title is “American Skin (41 Shots)”.
That was 14 years ago; the shooting of Amadou Diallo was 15 years ago. When I first heard this song, I thought it (and the Diallo shooting & acquittal) was shameful legacy to a time past. I was sheltered, or possibly in denial. Now, I wish this song was no longer relevant. But it is. Still.
41 shots, and we’ll take that ride
‘Cross the bloody river to the other side
41 shots, cut through the night
You’re kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in your American skin
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
41 shots, Lena gets her son ready for school
She says, “On these streets, Charles
You’ve got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you, promise me you’ll always be polite
And that you’ll never ever run away
Promise Mama you’ll keep your hands in sight”
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in your American skin
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
(41 shots)
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it in your heart, is it in your eyes
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
41 shots, and we’ll take that ride
‘Cross this bloody river to the other side
41 shots, I got my boots caked with this mud
We’re baptized in these waters (baptized in these waters)
And in each other’s blood (and in each other’s blood)
Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (it ain’t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in
You can get killed just for living in your American skin
is also available.
right?
) comes this song by 