Lyr Req: I Apologize (Gary Fjellgaard)

Subject: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: Beer
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 11:40 PM

A few months ago Gary spent an evening with me and it was one of the greatest moment that I had spent. What a great great person in every way. Thank you Gary for the evening and your stories.

For this I want to share a beautiful song he wrote and to tell you that he was asked if it could be used as a healing song.
A little background is needed at this point.

Very brefily.... The Government of Canada apologized for the wrongs it committed toward the Inuit people in reference to taking the children away from their family's and placing them homes etc. I know I shouldn't be using this "Etc." but I am not all up to date on the legal stuff as to what took place. Only that it wasd wrong. So very very wrong.

Bottom line !!
Here is the song.

http://www.fjellgaard.bc.ca/samples/I-Apologize.mp3

Subject: Lyr Add: I APOLOGIZE (Gary Fjellgaard)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 12:54 AM

I found the lyrics at http://www.fjellgaard.bc.ca/I-apologize.php. Powerful song.

I APOLOGIZE

Written by Gary Fjellgaard June 2008 © Socan
Published by Slim Creek Music July 2008 © Socan

I have this guilt / I have this shame
I have a conscience / So I have to take the blame
I stood back / I watched it all
I even helped imprison you / Behind those walls

No excuse / Is good enough
We never let you speak / Unless you mimicked us
I can’t run / I can’t hide
 Why I can’t even / Look you in the eye

No hollow prayer / No silent shout
No more empty words / Spilling from my mouth
You stripped away / My thin disguise
Now all that I can do is say / I’m sorry
I apologize

I thought that God / Was on my side
And with my righteousness / I’d tame the savage child
I would not have them / Running free
If they assimilate / They could be like me

How many can / The wagons hold
Another thousand children / I suppose
It must have seemed / Like judgement day
The anguish / As the wagons rolled away

I can’t begin / To know your pain
You can’t forgive / As long as memory remains
Through it all / You still survive
And all that I can do  is say / I’m sorry
Choking on the words that say / I’m sorry
I apologize

Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: Beer
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 09:11 AM

Thank you Joe.

Gary was asked by (forget exactly what he said here. I thought he said the Liege of Nations but could be wrong)... if this song could be used as a healing song.
What a wonderful gesture made to him.
ad.

Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 09:27 AM

it's a brave song coming from a non-native...

a couple of years ago I was doing a gig with Willie Dunn at Victoria Island in Ottawa while the 'official' gov't apology was happening...there were a lot of acts, dancers, speakers from all over..

we were standing around behind the stage with a few elders from various nations. One of them said, "It's a good thing to get this apology"
Willie replied, in the voice of a mob enforcer.. "F*ck the apology.. where's the money?"

Silence ensued. End of discussion. It was all I could do to keep from laughing.... a priceless Canadian moment

Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: Beer
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 09:53 AM

Thanks to you Ron I met Willie and I can just hear him saying this. Well you just got a laugh out of me.
Thanks
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Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 11:03 AM

Beer. I thought you'd like that one... the thing is, Willie was out rattling some serious cages when most of those elders were still picking up their 5 bucks a year from the Hudson Bay Company, and wondering which hand to use to scratch their ass...

I sure do value our time spent together.. we helped each other through some rough spots.. and the 'medicine' is very strong when we actually do get around to playing music together... I'm proud to call him friend

Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: bankley
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 01:53 PM

ps.. I met Gary a few years ago... he was a gentleman.. Is he still touring with Valdy ?

Subject: RE: Gary Fjellgaard Song 'I Apologize'
From: Beer
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 02:57 PM

He still does tour with Valdy but usually just the Western Canada and the Western U.S..
When he comes east it is mostly with Saskia and Darrel De LaRonde. Two wonderful people as well.
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Apologize (Gary Fjellgaard)
From: Beer
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 02:10 PM

Great to see it revived.
Thanks CedsImmadia.
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Apologize (Gary Fjellgaard)
From: Beer
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 03:20 PM

What happened to Guest CedsImmadia's post?
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