Feb 2022 guy-with-electric-guitar
When I did a DNA test a couple of years back I discovered that I am 2% Nigerian. (Weird, because I spent my childhood there and I certainly don't look much like a local. But some of my DNA had gone home).
The family I am related to chose to keep their info private, but I was told by the company that my ancestor was born in the US at the end of the 18th C. So I am guessing she was a slave. This is dedicated to her.
There is an old South American saying:
"The Europeans came to our land to bring us religion.
When we blinked, we had religion
And they had our land."
Race has been such a useful tool on which to build Empires :-(
(Am) Why don't you look me in the (D) face?
(C) Are you so sure of the (G) dominance of your (Am) race?
You strut around with your whip and (D) gun
But I see (C) fear in your eyes at the (E) setting of the sun
(G) Bossman you say Jesus has me (Am) saved
Will he (C) save you from the (G) crime
Of having me en(Am)slaved?
Through a mix of terror and of hate
You separate tribes so we can't communicate
Split up entire families on a whim
Steal kids from mothers, while humming an old hymn
CHORUS
We work all day to make you rich
If we die in the attempt you throw us in some ditch
Raping our women you call horse play
Do you think that Jesus would see such acts that way?
CHORUS
BRIDGE
(C) When you are six feet in your (Am) grave
We'll (C) see who (D) Jesus chose to (E) save
Repeat Verse One
@jonmeta Mar 2022
Interesting personal story, Berni. It's quite amazing what DNA analysis can reveal (mine had no surprises, but my son-in-law just found out he and his mum are part Jewish) and how it connects us with people we never knew. This song is a moving tribute, and it feels very personal and heartfelt as a listener. On the bigger scale, I've often thought that the one thing that will survive after the American empire is gone is the spiritual music of the slaves who tranformed the imposed religion of the slavemaster into a deep well of hope, self-worth, and community, turning Jesus back into who he actually is.
@kahlo2013 Mar 2022
Really powerful lyric…. the historic injustices that were done in the name of religion are extensive and sad… and still continue although perhaps not as blatant …. And interesting liner notes. Love your rock anthem vocals on this. This is a great song and could be so epic with a full band. I’m plying my drums in my head along with this and went a little crazy on them!
@wolfkier Mar 2022
good one, loving the velvet glove theme here. Powerful stuff.
chose to save is a brilliant snap back! Well done.
@porrectus Feb 2022
Pretty powerful write. Nice melody has a protest lilt. Well done.
@tukayandryan Feb 2022
I can totally hear Bowie in this too!
A fascinating story Berni and a really impressive skirmish. Great imagery.
@pabrizzer Feb 2022
such a good write berni
the old testament is a shocking read in terms of the treatment of women and races not favoured by god
interesting to see you reference jesus as a saviour in YOUR lyrics berni - edited this to negate the 'my narrator' defence - i know it was done to make a point but interesting it is
slavery is just obscene
@jtsteam Feb 2022
I can hear a bit of Bowie in this too... "Do you think that Jesus would see such acts that way?" - if only more people who called themselves Christians asked themselves this question!
@crutherford Feb 2022
i read the liner notes before the song. i'm glad i did.
what a song. heavy. powerful.
i agree - there is a bowie vibe to the vocal. this is a great thing.
i'm an very impressed you wrote all of this in a skirmish.
fantastic.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
Oh my. Your vocal sounds slightly Bowie-esque in places, beautiful. I can hear a full rock treatment for this, maybe blues rock :)
@keithcuts Feb 2022
Those lyrics are intense !
Your songwriting is vivid!