Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines

Subject: Lyr Add: BORDERLINES (V DePriest/G Gingrich)
From: GUEST,Kate
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:35 PM

I looked on your FAQ page for information on how to correct lyrics in your database but was unable to find a clear answer. Thus, I started a new thread.
Before I begin I would like to say I don't know how you go about updating the lyrics on this site based on suggestions in a forum like this from strangers around the world considering you have no basis on which to establish their credibility, but as I am directly related to both authors of this song, and would like to see it accurate, I hope you have some way of verifying the corrections.
Also, and I hate to say it, these corrections are not that big of a deal. Just minor things that impact the overall flow of the song, especially when it is sung.

I want to make it easier so I've posted the lyrics twice, the way you have and the correct way. I stared the lines that are changed.
Here are the lyrics you have:
BORDERLINES
(Valerie Depriest and Gail Gingrich)*
I'm hearing how business is tough in America
And they say the union's out of hand.
But I read in the news today about the latest threat to my pay
This is one thing I must understand.
They're telling us that they cannot afford our wage*
As they turn their greedy eyes on distant shores.
As patrols guard the borderlines and I'm standing in a picket line
Corporate boardroom plans are formed to move my plant to Ecuador
Where for fifty cents a day, a worker slaves her life away
And then they tell me she's my enemy.
At first I did not have the time to trouble myself with the world
And it all seemed so very far away.
But now I'm in a worried mood, Ucause hands need work and kids need food*
And I just got laid off today.
They're telling us that it is just good business
As foreign sweat spells profit like disease*
As patrols guard the borderlines and I'm standing in an unemployment line
While in the Philippines, a mind grows numb from sewing seams*
Guatemalan hills of cash; a coffee picker's skull is smashed
And then they tell me he's my enemy.
Now I am finally putting it all together;
Borderlines won't score my loyalty.
They don't care who is the drone; hands of yellow, black, or brown.
Profit is their only deity.
As corporate hands of power reach around the world,
They'll strangle any weak neck they can find.
From the diamond mines of Africa to the fields of El Salvador,*
From the sweatshops down in Mexico to the wire slots in Tokyo,
Sweat is sweat and blood is blood, and one day soon the time must come
We'll stand and face our common enemy.
Sweat is sweat and blood is blood, and one day soon the time must come
We'll stand and face our common enemy.

---

And here is the corrected lyrics:

BORDERLINES
(Valerie DePriest and Gayle Gingrich)

I'm hearing how business is tough in America
And they say the union's out of hand.
But I read in the news today about the latest threat to my pay
This is one thing I must understand.
They're telling us that they cannot afford our raises
As they turn their greedy eyes on distant shores.

As patrols guard the borderlines and I'm standing in a picket line
Corporate boardroom plans are formed to move my plant to Ecuador
Where for fifty cents a day, a worker slaves her life away
And then they tell me she's my enemy.

At first I did not have the time to trouble myself with the world
And it all seemed so very far away.
But now I'm in a worried mood, 'cause hands need work and kids need food
And I just got laid off today.
They're telling us that it is just good business
As foreign sweat swells profit like disease

As patrols guard the borderlines and I'm standing in an unemployment line
Somewhere in the Philippines, a mind grows numb from sewing seams
Guatemalan hills of cash; a coffee picker's skull is smashed
And then they tell me he's my enemy.

Now I am finally putting it all together;
Borderlines won't score my loyalty.
They don't care who is the drone; hands of yellow, black, or brown.
Profit is their only deity.
As corporate hands of power reach around the world,
They'll strangle any weak neck they can find.

From the diamond mines of South Africa to the fields of El Salvador,
From the sweatshops down in Mexico to the wire slots in Tokyo,
Sweat is sweat and blood is blood, and one day soon the time must come
We'll stand and face our common enemy.

Sweat is sweat and blood is blood, and one day soon the time must come
We'll stand and face our common enemy.

copyright Valerie DePriest and Gayle Gingrich
@political @labor
filename[ BORDERLN
DS

Thank you, and thank you for hosting this wonderful site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderl
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 12:11 PM

Kate,

the way you have used for correction is a good way often seen here. The correction in the database might take a long time, but the way this site is organised everyone looking for this song from now on should be linked to this thread as well.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderl
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 03:15 PM

Without knowing the song, it's hard to figure where stanzas start and stop. I've added them to your post according to where they are in the Digital Tradition. Are they correct? Also, can you tell us what your source of information is? Before we add a correction, it helps to be sure the correction is correct. We've been trying to add source information the the Digital Tradition, also.
Anybody know of recordings of this song, or of hwere we might find it in a songbook?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines
From: GUEST,kate
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 09:57 PM

Joe -

The stanzas you put in are correct.

As for my source of information, I'm Valerie DePriest's daughter (Gayle is my aunt, her sister) and I've heard one or both of them sing this song countless times growing up, as well as on numerous tapes of my mother's preformances, and still now at family gatherings. Some people from Washington state (I think, I don't remember their name) covered it once on an album of theirs but that's the only official recording I know of unfortunately and I don't remember if they sang it true to form. I don't know of the lyrics being published in a songbook either; I was surprised (but pleased) to find it here.

I didn't expect anyone to respond to my comment considering how many songs you have in your database and how many comments, I can imagine, are being posted daily so I apologize for the late reply. I hope I was able to answer your questions.

Thanks,
Kate

Subject: RE: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines
From: GUEST,Gayle Gingrich
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 11:17 PM

As an author of this song, it is neat to find this site and this thread. My niece Kate has helped clarify the origins of this song, which I appreciate. The duo Magpie from DC first recorded this song, and sometime later, Rebel Voices from I believe Seattle. Most recently, labor activist Tom Juravich from MA recorded it. Unfortunately, neither Val DePriest (my sister) nor I have produced a recording. Magpie's and Juravich's recordings are accurate and most consistent with our original tenor for the song; it originated as a ballad. It has been performed numerous times we have heard by various musicians both in the US and abroad. We are glad to share it.

Subject: RE: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 10:42 PM

It's a great song; I wish it were more recorded.

Subject: RE: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines
From: GUEST,Greg Artzner of Magpie
Date: 04 Aug 13 - 03:04 PM

Hi Gayle,
We're recording "Borderlines" again on our 40th anniversary CD and have no publishing info or contact info where our record company (Sliced Bread and Carl Apter) might get a mechanical license and send you and Val the royalty. Could you contact us and give us yours and Val's email? Ours is [e-mail].
This great song is ever more relevant with the recent tragedy in Bangladesh.
Thanks.
Greg

Subject: RE: Lyric/Attribution Correction: Borderlines
From: GUEST,Gayle Gingrich
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 11:38 AM

Hello Greg,

Thanks for contacting us and I'm delighted to hear the song will be recorded again. My email is [e-mail]. Valerie's is [e-mail].

Gayle