folkVOTE

“A Perfect Storm” – written by John Dillon, performed by John Dillon and Vivian Nesbitt

Free MP3 download: https://tinyurl.com/prfstrm

30 Sec. Save Our Democracy (chorus) Video link: https://vimeo.com/434911514

“A Perfect Storm” highlights how the trifecta of the Covid-19 pandemic, systemic Racism and government Corruption has motivated people of all ages and races to take to the streets and make their voices heard. John & Viv’s aim is to harness this energy and inspire massive voter turnout in November. John says, “We hope DJs will play the song and use the PSA in their shows as often as possible between now and November.”

Virtual Choir of Resistance: Vivian Nesbitt, Dan Navarro, Tret Fure, Joe Jencks, Cathy Fink, Daniel Boling, Jono Manson, Steve Gillette, Cindy Mangsen, Don Richmond, Jon Gold, Tom Naunas, Jackson Dillon, Jessica Dillon, Sidney Dillon-King, Tony Glaser, Katie Anne Mitchell, Catherine Reid, Annie & Rod Capps.
Mixed by 7-time Grammy winner, Joel Moss, videos by John Dillon

“Say Can You See” by Scott Cook from his forthcoming album, Tangle of Souls

I love this country, I love the people and the land
But there’s a lot of stuff happening that I can’t understand
We got billions for bailouts, we got trillions for wars
But it’s hard for working people to make a living anymore

Hear me out for a second, this ain’t a partisan song
It ain’t about right and left, it’s about right and wrong
We’re fighting over the scraps while a few are living like kings
‘Cause screwing us over’s a bipartisan thing

And it’s working people who made this country great
Not the greedy opportunists or the peddlers of hate
And if a new day’s coming, it’s gotta come from you and me
Oh say, can you see?

See, I got a neighbour, we don’t always agree
He’s a bit of a redneck, according to a hippy like me
But if you’re in the ditch, he’ll pull you out, I know he will
And that’s more than I can say for all those dickheads on the hill

And it’s working people who made this country great
Not the greedy opportunists or the peddlers of hate
And if a new day’s coming, it’s gotta come from you and me
Oh say, can you see?
Oh say, can you see?

He works hard for his family, he’s got loyalty and pride
The company took all he gave and then cast him aside
See, there’s profit in poverty, hell, there’s profit in prisons
And they don’t even pay taxes, they just buy politicians

In New York Harbour there’s a lady with a flame
Still calling in the huddled masses in Liberty’s name
But there’s fear on the airwaves and hatred wrapped in the flag
Turning strangers into enemies and our riches into rags

And a revolution to break the grip of greed
Don’t need a strongman or a saviour, but I believe we’re gonna need
Whatever magic this old world’s got left to start
And all the ammunition in the chambers of our hearts

—

Scott Cook
prairie balladeer, awestruck vagabond

“1920”

Music and lyrics by Si Kahn, Sam Gleaves, and Saro Lynch-Thomason
© Joe Hill Music LLC, Saro Lynch-Thomason & Fabulachian Music (All ASCAP)
For background and context, click here.

Have you seen a long long line
As women stand and wait to vote
They’ve been waiting for a long long time
But now the year is 1920

The last petition, the final prayer
The signs and banners stored away
One last cheer lingers in the air
It echoes down to us today

Chorus
Since they stood tall and signed their names
One hundred years have come and gone
So much has changed, so much remains
We go on, we still go on

The last march ended, one last song shared
The vote for women finally passed
The Constitution now repaired
Suffrage is the law at last

Through years of beatings, torture, jail
They stood their ground, they claimed their rights
They did not yield to scorn and fear
The lamp they lifted still burns bright (Chorus)

Give thanks to those who showed the way
In their history you will find
How fierce love and stubborn strength
Can help you through the hardest times

Hold their courage in your hearts
Sisters, workers, children, friends
We know the vote was just a start
Keep the faith as they did then (Chorus)

Did you see that long long line
Young women laughing, filled with pride
They’re about to vote for the very first time
Like in the year of 1920