Music for Change
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By Eilis Leyne with Chris Matthews, Jen Carie, Jimmy Albert & Miguel Bella
Battling a pandemic, struggling for social justice, and working together in this transnational musical collaboration toward better days when will will all
Dance in the Sun!
Dance in the Sun
I wake up at night, my mind is churning.
Want to step out of time, but the world keeps on turning.
Want to find a little peace, but the streets are burning.
I think I need a little time with you.
I want to dance in the sun, want to live in the light til this fever is done.
I want to dance in the sun, dance in the sun with you.
We want to dance 'neath the stars, hear our favorite bands playin' neighborhood bars.
And I want to dance 'neath the stars, dance 'neath the stars with you.
The man on the news tells us we got to hide.
Lock up the doors, keep the children inside.
But the man at the top can't keep track of his lies,
And folks just don't know what to do.
Now brothers and sisters all take to the streets.
Just can't take no more lies, no more blood, no more grief.
Together we 'll find a new way to believe.
Together we will see this through.
And we're gonna' dance in the sun, gonna' live in the light til this fever is done
And I'm gonna' dance in the sun, dance in the sun with you.
We're gonna' dance 'neath the stars, hear our favorite bands playin' neighborhood bars
And I'm gonna dance 'neath the stars, dance 'neath the stars with you.
And we're gonna' dance in the sun, gonna' live in the light til this fever is done
And I'm gonna' dance in the sun, dance in the sun with you.
We're gonna' dance 'neath the stars, hear our favorite bands playin' neighborhood bars
And I'm gonna dance 'neath the stars, dance 'neath the stars with you.
I wanna dance in the sun with you.
I'm gonna' dance in the sun with you.
By Peter Rand & Eilis Leyne with Alan Conti & Mark Eckert
Dedicated to those who've lived in the silence and those who've broken it.
Kayna
When Kayna was a little girl
Dancing through a magic world,
Ran along the sand all day,
Hair as wild as ocean spray.
Mama said “Now, child take care.
The devil lingers everywhere.
It’s a narrow step to sin.
Don’t let the stranger in.”
Kayna, in your sea foam gown,
Kayna, don’t let your mama down.
When she was a little girl
Daddy taught her about the world.
Said the boys just want one thing.
Hot in winter, gone by spring.
There’s one bond that never breaks,
A love that gives more than it takes.
Sealed it with a secret kiss.
“Ain’t no boy love you like this.
Kayna, quiet now. Don’t make a sound.
Kayna, don’t let your daddy down.
Don’t let him down."
When Kayna was a woman grown
Finally made her way back home.
Come to walk those troubled sands,
The weight of metal in her hand.
Mama was already gone
But livin’ mean made daddy strong.
Kayna. Kayna.
Said “Girl, it makes me sad to see
How little love you have for me.”
Said he couldn’t understand
Why she refused take his hand.
As her silent eyes explained,
She raised the metal and took aim.
Kayna, don’t make a sound.
Kayna, don’t shoot your daddy down.
Kayna, quiet now don’t make a sound.
Kayna. Kayna.
By Xterrabill, Eilis Leyne, Gabro Jazz, & Cory Frey
For everyone who's fighting against a system that oppresses through thought, word, deed and dollar. Let's keep fighting the good fight!
On Higher Ground
Man with the money clip tells me what to think.
Says he’s got it figured out and I don’t know a thing.
Says I gotta find the faith in the Almighty buck.
Says I gotta bring it home but I don’t give a ughh ughh.
He says the flood is coming, says I’m going nowhere
And he’s sure I’m gonna drown.
But up there in his tower, Mister can’t see
I’m standing on higher ground.
Preacher with a wrecking ball, tells me to pray.
Gotta knock down the house, gotta do what he say.
Says I gotta hate the child who don’t say the same prayer,
Else I’m gonna feel the flames. Sinner, beware.
He says the flood’s a coming, says I’m going nowhere.
And he’s sure I’m gonna drown.
But up there on his altar, the Brother can’t see
I’m standing on higher ground. Higher higher, higher ground
Man with the neon smile says he’ll make it rain.
But if I really love myself, I’ve got to change.
Just come to the banquet room of the Holiday Inn.
Give him $999, and get ready to win.
He says the flood’s a coming, says I’m going nowhere
And he’s sure I’m gonna drown.
Says that he can save me, but standing on the stage, he can’t see
I’m standing on higher ground. Higher, higher, higher ground
Man with the shiny car got all of the pills.
Says he got JUST the cure for all of my ills.
Says he only wants to help, tells me to believe.
Devil in a silver suit, with a knife up his sleeve.
He says the flood’s a coming, says I’m going no where,
And he’s sure I’m gonna drown.
But back behind the smoked glass, the Devil can’t see
I’m standing on higher ground. Higher, higher, higher ground.
Higher ground. Standing on higher ground.
By Eilis Leyne with Tim Ryall, Tony Charnock, Paul WIllis, and Nick Anderson
For women everywhere: never forget how strong you are! Anyone who doesn't value your strength is not worthy of your heart.
Strong-Back Woman
You want a broke-down woman, make you feel like Superman.
You want a frill-skirt dolly who needs your helping hand.
But I'm a strong-back woman. Don't need no sorry man.
You want a weak-boned woman, so you can play the shining knight.
You want a shrinky-dinky darlin'. You'll make everything alright.
But I'm a strong-back woman, and you better know that I can fight.
I'm a strong-back woman. A hard-drivin' woman.
Ain't no beat-down woman. I'm a stand-tall woman.
Strong-back woman don't need this sorry man.
I'm goin' to California, where they grow 'em tall and long.
Gonna’ take my little basket, gonna’ sing my siren song.
Find a strong-back baby, and keep him here where he belongs.
I'm a strong-back woman. A hard-drivin' woman.
Ain't no beat-down woman. I'm a stand-tall woman.
Strong-back woman don't need this sorry man.
A strong-back woman don't need this sorry man.
By Willa Way, Eilis Leyne, Chris Matthews, and Mike Reeves
Woman-power can take many forms, my friends!
Molasses
I roll downtown on a Saturday night. Got my red shoes on and my dress real tight.
I step into that crowded room, and the temperature rises like sweet perfume.
The music grooves, the bubbles pop. As I walk by, their jaws all drop.
But something stops me in my tracks. You all cuddled up to some ticky-tack.
She got dagger eyes and the whiff of sin, looking like something the cat dragged in.
Instead of heading for the door, I lift my chin and take the floor.
Gonna move as slow as dark molasses,
Gonna shine as bright as Sunday brasses.
Gonna burn as hot as a frying pan
Gonna make em beg to take my hand.
Mmm… real slow.
Mmm… sweet and low.
Mmm… here I go, here I go now.
The night wears on and Miss ticky-tack leaves.You come tugging at my sleeve.
You say “I never meant, never meant to stray, so baby, come outside to play.”
“Sorry son, you had your chance. But I got boys lined up to do my dance.”
Cuz move as slow as dark molasses,
I shine as bright as Sunday brasses.
I burn as hot as a frying pan.
The boys all beg to take my hand.
You could’ve been my lovin’ man,
But you best be makin’ other plans.
