Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration

Subject: Lyr Req: any new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 04:03 PM

I'm wondering where the songs are about the present U.S. government crisis. There was a rash of lyrics around the time of the last U.S. presidential election, but I haven't come across anything very recent (though that could be because most of what is being composed nowadays is outside the "folk" genre?)

Subject: ADD: The Border Song (Sharyn Dimmick)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 05:38 PM

I've got one for you, Felipa. I wrote "The Border Song" in June 2018 right after we learned that the U.S. government was separating children from parents at the Southern border. I imagined a woman with children fleeing violence and seeking asylum and let her tell her story in the first person.

THE BORDER SONG
(Sharyn Dimmick)

I walked a long way, longer than you know.
I walked a long way, carrying my pain and fear.
I walked a long way -- I had nowhere else to go.
I walked a long way to get here.

When they shot at me, I helped the children hide.
When they raped me, I got up and walked away.
When they set fires and all my neighbors died
I knew there wasn't any way to stay.

I walked a long way, longer than you know.
I walked a long way, carrying my pain and fear.
I walked a long way -- I had nowhere else to go.
I walked a long way to get here.

And there's a man in Washington,
Calling me an alien,
Telling me that walking is a crime.
Well, I've seen murder
And I've seen arson
But now I am the one who's doing time.

I walked a long way, longer than you know.
I walked a long way, carrying my pain and fear.
I walked a long way -- I had nowhere else to go.
I walked a long way to get here.

And did you greet me, give me water, give me food,
Give me clothing, show me a warm bed?
No, you caged me, took the children of my blood:
Every night I hear them crying in my head.

I walked a long way, longer than you know.
I walked a long way, carrying my pain and fear.
I walked a long way -- I had nowhere else to go
I walked a long way to get here.
I walked a long way to get here.

Words and music by Sharyn Dimmick.
Copyright June 2018
All rights reserved

I also got a poet and activist, Arnoldo García, to translate it into Spanish for me as "Canción de la Frontera." I now have an E.P. called "The Border Song" with both the English and Spanish versions. Both versions were played last Saturday on "Folk Music and Beyond" on KALW 91.7 FM last Saturday as part of a "Songs of Immigration" show. That show is archived through today (1-18-19) on KALW.org so, if you hurry, you can hear the song there. I don't know how to post it here, but I'll ask Joe Offer to do the honors for me. You can PM me with any questions. I'll post the Spanish version in a separate message.

---

Click to play Border Song(joeweb)

Click to play Cancion de la Frontera(joeweb)

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 09:14 PM

That's a powerful song, Sharyn. I posted links to MP3 recordings in your message above. YouTube says it's still processing the video of the songs that I posted - processing is supposedly 73% complete. I'll check it tomorrow.

There was a song posted at Mudcat a while back about people who were arrested for leaving jugs of water for immigrants crossing the border. I'll keep looking for it.

I did find one song titled Border Patrol (click), by Lawrence Hammond.

Maybe 30 years ago, the late Peter Krug of San Francisco wrote a powerful song called Migrant Song (See How the Land Yields Up Her Treasure).

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: sharyn
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 09:39 PM

Thanks, Joe. If you-all run to KALW.org Bob Campbell had several songs about migration and walls, etc. Some of them were really good. I know Tom Russell wrote a "border trilogy."

Subject: ADD: Who's Gonna Build Your Wall? (Tom Russell)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 10:53 PM

Here's a song by Tom Russell called "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall?":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9bgmi0I5hY

WHO'S GONNA BUILD YOUR WALL
(Tom Russell, 2007)

I've got 800 miles of open border
Right outside my door,
There's minutemen in little pickup trucks
Who've declared their own dang war;
Now the government wants to build a barrier,
like old Berlin, 8 feet tall;
But if Uncle Sam sends the illegals home,
Who's gonna build the wall?

Who's gonna build your wall boys?
Who's gonna mow your lawn?
Who's gonna cook your Mexican food
When your Mexican maid is gone?
Who's gonna wax the floors tonight
Down at the local mall?
Who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?

Now I ain't got no politics,
So don't lay that rap on me.
Left wing, right wing, up wing, down wing,
I see strip malls from sea to shining sea.
It's the fat cat white developer
Who's created this whole damn squall;
It's a pyramid scheme of dirty jobs
And who's gonna build your wall?

Who's gonna build your wall boys?
Who's gonna mow your lawn?
Who's gonna cook your Mexican food
When your Mexican maid is gone?
Who's gonna wax the floors tonight
Down at the local mall?
Who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?

We've got fundamentalist Muslims,
We've got fundamentalist Jews,
We've got fundamentalist Christians,
They'll blow the whole thing up for you;
But as I travel around this big old world,
There's one thing that I most fear,
It's a white man in a golf shirt
With a cell phone in his ear.

Who's gonna build your wall boys?
Who's gonna mow your lawn?
Who's gonna cook your Mexican food
When your Mexican maid is gone?
Who's gonna wax the floors tonight
Down at the local mall?
Who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?
Yeah, who's gonna wash your baby's face?
Who's gonna build your wall?


Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/whos-gonna-build-your-wall-lyrics-tom-russell.html

NPR Story (click)

Subject: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 06:57 AM

There were contemporary lyrics posted around the time of the U.S. presidential election, but I haven't seen any inspired by the present crisis in government. It could be that I'm in the wrong genre (folk, tradional). But can anyone add suitable lyrics to this thread?

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 06:59 AM

I thought this discussion wasn't posted as I was looking for it under my original prefix "Lyr Req".

Thanks for the contributions.

---

Guilty. I changed the title to fit in the word "immigration" and had to drop "lyr" from the tag. I've combined the two threads. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 07:09 AM

I'm both fascinated and worried by the shutdown of U.S. government services, increasing environmental degradation, and non-payment of government employees. I'm looking to others for the lyrics ... and I do have the excuse of watching from "the other side of the pond". Hoping the shutdown is soon ended!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 08:50 AM

I imagine someone could write a good song about a government employee affected by the shutdown, a personalised song.

The song I would write, if I can get my head around it, would be more to do with constitutional principles - the separation of powers, The Checks and Balances Breakdown Rag. Starting with how we learned about the constitution in school ... though I don't know what is on the curricula in the 21st c. nor how teaching of American history and civics varies from state to state.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Daniel Kelly
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 09:03 AM

I wrote this song about the wall, lyrics are in the YouTube description: Build a Wall

And this one about the trouble that anyone gets when they
stand up for others in the current climate:
SJW

Dave Rovics writes in this genre, but I can't find anything recent specifically about the wall.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 09:52 AM

someone has composed a Checks and Balances song for basic educational purposes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s07lk6rMWpU
"Learn about the Checks and Balances in the U.S. Constitution and government. Separation of powers is a very important concept stemming from Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu. The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches come to life in this music video by the Social Studs. Music by the Social Studs. Also, check out the "Bill of Rights Song" by the Social Studs. http://SocialStudsRock.com "

and there is a "Three Branches Rap" from "Smart Songs" "Clever, memorable hip-hop songs from rappers Shoeless Jeff and Scott Free offer a fresh and innovative twist to learning about U.S. government."

not quite what I had in mind, but may be a starting point
----
and thanks, Daniel Kelly, for your contribution

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 10:21 AM

I did a web search for songs about Mitch McConnell - came up with links to Roy Zimmerman's Old Man Fibber (June 2017, on youtube with lyrics on screen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLvw4Wo_QZM), and in Oct 2017 Zimmerman posted "Like A Brick Thrown in Troubled Waters" (Puerto Rico weather emergency and poor gov. response) on youtube, also with lyrics on the video. Roy Zimmerman has recorded many songs of this ilk.

youtube "Mitch McConnell Song" and "McConnelling" are from back in 2014 & 2015 . I don't know who composed or recording the first; McConnelling is from Ben Schorr

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall etc
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 04:44 PM

in New York City, People's Music Network is having a workshop at the PMN Winter Gathering 25-27 Jan:
COMING TO THE WINTER GATHERING IN NYC next weekend? Submit your lyrics in advance for this workshop:
"SONGS OF THE RESISTANCE – Saturday, January 26 at the Winter Gathering. Session1, 9 – 10:20 am. Led by Lindsey Wilson and Mike Glick – submit your lyrics in advance (this is not necessary for participation)!

"Unsurprisingly, life under the Toddler-In-Chief has NOT been pleasant! In fact, it’s been worse than we imagined. Yet, “our Prez,” has proven unintentionally inspirational for many singers and songwriters.While some have chosen to update old songs, there are also many fine new ones about the current situation – and the many issues that have been brought to the fore (immigration, #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, Islamaphobia, and more). This workshop wants your contributions to this “genre.” Hopefully we can all learn some new songs to bring to our activities. (Participants are encouraged to bring lyric sheets and/or contact info for their songs.)

"We invite you to submit song lyrics in advance (only one each); we will try to print as many as possible on two sides of one sheet of paper. Send your “bon mots” - deadline: January 23rd email to [e-mail] (song choices made by workshop leaders from those submitted)."

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jan 19 - 06:04 PM

Can anybody find the thread for the song I'm looking for? It told the story of some activists, possibly in Arizona, who were arrested for leaving food and water for immigrants crossing the wilderness.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Jan 19 - 04:36 PM

Wasn't there a previous thread about songs of immigration (Deportees etc)? Maybe the song Joe is looking for would be at that thread. The story sounds familiar to me, but I think I read about it in prose not song and I don't remember which state it happened in. Maybe happened on more than one occasion, of course.

As for my request, I'm looking more specifically for songs re the proposed wall (I gather there are a few) and the gov. shutdown (maybe it's early days for these lyrics?)

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Jan 19 - 05:10 PM

Woodie Guthrie wrote the moving song Deportee.

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Jan 19 - 05:14 PM

Deportees is still a relevant song, Dorothy, but hardly a new song.

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jan 19 - 08:30 PM

The song I was talking about above is Who's the Criminal (click), by Ted Warmbrand. I happened to get an email from Ted today about another song, and then I remembered. In fact, it was Felipa who started the thread on Ted's song last year.
Good song, Ted.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Jan 19 - 08:39 PM

I hadn't seen that there were responses to the thread re Who's the Criminal so I never read the lyrics before!

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigra
From: GUEST,Larry Poole
Date: 21 Jan 19 - 10:31 PM

A rewrite of the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty that the Irish sing to the jig "Off She Goes",

Trumpty Drumpfy wanted a wall
Trumpty Drumpfy had a great fall
All the fox fake news
And roosky Putin
Couldnt put Tea-Rump together again.

Larepole

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Neil D
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 01:53 AM

With apologies to the late, great Phil Ochs:

Here's to the state of Baby Donald
Who on our southern border will build the greatest wall
For he can keep us safe if he can only make us small
Intolerance and hatred are the worst I can recall
If he has his drothers our democracy will fall
Here's to the land you've torn out the heart of,
Donald Trump find yourself another country to be part of.

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 01:54 PM

Some friends from the US sent me a link to Randy Rainbow's song about the shutdown and the wall: not folk, and owes a lot to a certain musical! But made me laugh anyway! (FF to 1'13" for the song, but worth watching it all.)
Trump Wall Song

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: oldhippie
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 02:07 PM

Posted by Chip Berlet on another site: More based on Phil Ochs

"Oh here's to the State of Donald Trump
Where underneath his crazy hair the devil's doing fine
In the basements of his towers nameless bodies you will find
And his tiny little fingers have committed many crimes
And the calendar is lying when it reads the present time
Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of
Donald Trump go find yourself another country to be part of"

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: GUEST,MAG. guest here at library
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 03:13 PM

It isn't new, but Flip Breskin's song. "Some walls (must fall)" is highly relevant

MAG

Subject: ADD: He never really meant he was going to build a
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 04:21 PM

He never really meant he was going to build a wall

He never really meant that he was going to build a wall
Going to build a wall, going to build a wall
He never really meant he was going to build a wall
He never meant that at all.

He never meant that Mexico would pay for it all
Pay for it all, pay for it all
He never meant that Mexico would pay for it all
He never meant that at all

He never really meant anything at all
He just opened up his mouth, and out came balls
And the funny thing was, people fell for it all
But he never meant a thing at all

He just wanted the job where he was boss of it all
Boss of it all, boss of it all
Talking big in the locker room, but it begins to pall
When nothing means a thing at all.

Words and music by Alan Whittle©23/01/2019 20:37:08


https://soundcloud.com/denise_whittle/he-never-meant-that-he-was-going-to-build-a-wall

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Jan 19 - 10:59 AM

O give me land, lots of land, and the starry skies above
Don't Wall me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't Wall me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't Wall me in

I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
Can't look at Trump and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in
O give me land, lots of land, and the starry skies above
Don't Wall me in
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love
Don't Wall me in
Let me be by myself in the evening breeze
Listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees
Send me off forever but I ask you please
Don't Wall me in

I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences
Gaze at the moon till I lose my senses
Can't look at Trump and I can't stand fences
Don't fence me in

Songwriters: Cole Porter


sung by Roy Rodgers

Subject: RE: Req: new songs re U.S. shutdown, wall, immigration
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 24 Jan 19 - 04:59 PM

The Boys from Kentucky

To show how much they really care
Those boys from Kentucky
For Washington set out to keep
Folks in the US free

We’d like to build a wall, they cried
And strangers keep at bay
The elder sighed and said his tribe
Had always felt that way

What can we do, asked Donald Trump
To save democracy?
The elder said, Send home that man
Of Scottish ancestry