The Songs
“Oh Karen, You Should Have Seen It” by Larry Hildes
“I Got A Lot Riding On These Wheels” by Anya Hinkle and Louisa Branscomb
“Women VOTE VOTE VOTE” by Lynn Marie Smith
“Do or Die” by Ani DiFranco
“You’re Fired!” performed by Si Kahn
“Vote” [2020 version] by Spook Handy
“Don’t Take My Yard Sings” by Bett Padgett
“It’s Up to You and Me” by Laurie Lewis
“Gonna Vote Your Asses Out” by Emma’s Revolution
“Voting USA” by Hali Hammer
“Sunshine Postman” by Sheeboom
“Cast Your Ballot, Do Your Part” by April Verch
“Today I Get to Go and Cast a Vote” by David Roth
“The Woman’s Suffrage Song” by Sharleen Leahey
“The Election Song” by Charlotte Block
“Voter Fraud is a Fraud “by Lauren Mayer
“Vote” by Spook Handy
“Three Faces in a Row” by Charlie King
“Not Going Back (I Don’t Think So)” words and music by Mary Lou Fulton
“Vote Dammit!” by John McCutcheon
“1920” by Saro Lynch-Thomason and Sam Gleaves
“Postal Worker parody to Mr Sandman” by Rhiannon’s Lark
“For Eff’s Sake, Vote” by Libby Roderick
“The World Needs Your Voice” by Jim Scott
“Your Vote is Your Voice” by Tobi Nielsen
“Don’t Vote” by Rob Katz
“Democracy” by Uasuf Gueye for The Civic Circle
“Your Own Reaction” by Bay Station
“Come Along” by Abby and Bryan Klausing
“Election Year Rag” by Michael & Nell
“Okay, Go On!” by L. D. Vellani
“Oh Karen, You Should Have Seen It” by Larry Hildes
I wrote this song the day the election was called for Biden. Everything in it, except the last couplet, is from what I heard and saw and the reactions I watched and listened to.
Karen is my late wife. We were inseparable for the 20 years we were married, working together full time, traveling together, and suffering through the 2016 election together, and working together to counter the effects of Trump until she was diagnosed with glioblastoma last October.
So, As the returns came in, I was sitting at my desk, trying to work and thinking of all the things I wanted her to have experienced with me as it unfolded.
“I Got A Lot Riding On These Wheels” by Anya Hinkle and Louisa Branscomb
100 years ago women were not allowed vote. Not allowed!
For the Suffragettes fighting for the right to vote, no symbol was more powerful than the bicycle. The bicycle allowed women to leave home and to get where they wanted on their own power. The bicycle required changes in fashion that allowed them to move more freely. The exercise made them stronger, healthier and more independent. Unsurprisingly, none of these things were popular within the turn-of-the-century power structure.
Award-winning songwriters Anya Hinkle and Louisa Branscomb joined forces to bring this unique connection between women and bicycles to light during the suffragette’s centennial year. “I’ve got a lot riding on these wheels” was born when Anya read an article about an Afghani women’s cycling team, which resonated with her own history riding and racing bicycles. Anya invited Louisa, a pioneering woman in bluegrass, to co-write and co-produce the project, and invited a diverse cast of women to participate: Adilene Delgado on drums, Mary Lucey on clawhammer banjo and harmony vocals, Celia Millington-Wyckoff on bass, Natalya Weinstein on fiddle, Louisa on mandolin and tenor banjo, and Anya on guitar and lead vocals. The project was conducted in a covid-safe- and guerilla- style: Anya brought a portable rig to each player’s house to capture their parts and then assembled the song with help from David Arnold.
During this important election, on the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote, it is more important than ever that not only women’s voices are heard, but that all people that are disenfranchised and discouraged from voting are heard. We have to honor those that fought so hard for women’s suffrage, for voting rights in the 60s, by ensuring that voices are not silenced, for it impacts us now and our children later. This video is dedicated to the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her legacy of standing up for the rights of all people.
“Women VOTE VOTE VOTE” by Lynn Marie Smith
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) video… Lynn Marie Smith is the lead singer and (we’re told probably) the author of the lyrics. The other singers include members of the DC Labor Chorus.
“Do or Die” written and performed by Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco’s new single Do or Die is a call-to-action to wield the most powerful weapon at our disposal – our right to vote. In Do or Die, Ani states that we need to “look down at our hands and remember we’re armed” with that power, and that “we can do this, if we try, if we do this like it’s Do or Die.”
The video – directed by Zoe Boekbinder – sees Ani transforming into an advocate for our rights, something that she has been no stranger to throughout her entire life and career.
“You’re Fired” performed by Si Kahn, written by Ken Grossinger for folkVOTE
“Ken Grossinger is a good friend. I asked him to write the lyrics, promising I’d set them to music and record them, which I did.”
The fires of hatred burn in the White House
A passion for dictators clearly abounds
We raise our voices for hope and for justice
They stop up their ears but they can’t stop the sound
Corporate goons, private militias
The Klan and the Nazis all want their say
Armed to the teeth, they roam down our streets
If you’re Black or brown, best get out of the way
But come this November we’ll tell them “You’re fired!”
Once they count the ballots these goons will be gone
So register now and don’t waste a minute
And vote for our freedom, our lives and our own
Remember Bull Conner? Remember George Wallace?
Segregationist madmen, hoping for fame
Where are they now, no one remembers
Their faces, their voices, not even their names
Rich white supremacists run for election
A torrent of violence roars through our towns
But we sit in the streets, arms linked in resistance
The statues aren’t falling, we’re tearing them down (Chorus)
Provocateurs pretend to be with us
So they can cripple our strength by surprise
The fool in the White House spins lies like a spider
But a lie that’s a half-truth is the darkest of lies
But come this November we’ll tell them “You’re fired!”
Once they count the ballots this goon will be gone
So register now and don’t waste a minute
And vote for our freedom, our lives and our own
And run this sad bastard on a rail out of town
“VOTE!” [2020 version] by Spook Handy with Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Christine Lavin and others
Voting is no laughing matter. Well, actually, it is in this video. But it contains a serious message: Elections have consequences! Help us get 1 view for every American who has died of Covid by Election Day. That means 224,000+ views. 1 more way to let our voices be heard! {LYRICS BELOW}
Artists: Spook Handy, Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Christine Lavin, John McCutcheon, Guy Davis, Tret Fure, Emma’s Revolution, Friction Farm, Tom Florek, Dave Rimelis, Dennis Warner, Pat Lamanna, Ron Greenstein, Bob Harris & Cyndy Huang, Eric Lambert, Cheryl Prashker, Carla Ulbrich, Diane Perry, Debra Cowan, Carol Crittenden, Tommy Strazza, Lauren Mayer, Chris Birmingham, Shanna in a Dress, Mya Byrne, Rik Palieri, Carl Alderson, Gregg Cagno, Dave Sherman, Sharon & Greg Metz, Tracy Colletto
VOTE – © 2001 Spook Handy, BMI
When politicians come to town
And kiss babies ‘til their noses turns brown
You can bet your bottom dollar they want your vote
So speak your mind ‘cause believe it or not
This world has become a big melting pot
It’s easy to get yourself lost in the lot
‘Cause the world’s made up of all kinds of people, so
Vote! Don’t you never mind the weather
Get your butt in the booth and pull down the lever
Vote! For worse or for better
Let your voice be heard
We got fuzzy headed peace loving carrot chomping farmer boys
Skin headed neo-nazi face slapping paranoids
Fat cats sitting back scoffing at the tabloids. Yup!
And there’s cross burning, homophobic, church going family types
Flag burning, anti-war, give the poor more types
Out of school, know it all, Cliff Clavin prototypes
The world’s made up of all kinds of people, so
chorus
We’ve got hard working, wisdom sharing, ceiling braking feminists
Pro-life clinic burning gospel preaching terrorists
City dwelling unemployed folks who can’t stand it no more
Sky choking river killing free market advocates
Tree loving owl hugging pro-environmentalists
Urban folk high on hope raising up their clenched fists
The world’s made up of all kinds of people, so
chorus
Now Farmer Josh lives up on the mountain.
Grows his own food drinks from Mother Nature’s fountain
And only gets down into town around once a week
And all the pretty young gals from the near by high school
Stop by his farm ‘cause they think he’s so cool
Chewing on wheat grass and spitting out philosophy
He says, “Looking at life cosmologically,
We’re all cells in the body of the Almighty
And with God-like nature we create our own reality
But down here on Earth, now that’s a different ball of wax
We’ve got to eat – pay all kinds of taxes
And form governments that have laws to pass
‘Cause the world’s made up of all kinds of people, so
Vote! Don’t you never mind the weather.
Get your butt in the booth and pull down the lever.
Vote! For worse or for better
Vote!
chorus
Additional verse by Pat Lamanna:
Now, you can vote as early as the law allows
Avoid the long lines, avoid the crowds
And you won’t have worry ‘bout Covid-19
Even better yet put your ballot in the mail
Don’t listen to no politician’s tale
But whatever you do, do it without fail
‘cause the world’s made up of all kinds of people
Vote! Don’t let the country go to rubble
Take a look at the ballot and file in the bubbles
Vote! It’s really worth the trouble
Let your voice be heard
“Don’t Take My Yard Signs” by Bett Padgett
“I’ve written three songs that pertain to voting. This one I’m sending now is called “Don’t Take My Yard Signs”. We have lived on a busy street in Raleigh since 1971 and every election we’ve put out political signs, social statements, save the forest campaign, all sorts of signs out in our yard. This year we have had more than 12 signs stolen (five were hand painted on heavy LARGE boards by our grandsons…boy did it hurt to lose them!). What is the world coming to when we cannot even express our freedom of speech? Our first amendment? The theft of our signs isn’t very flattering members of our candidates’ opposing party. Perhaps it’s all the more reason to get out and vote! “
DON’T TAKE MY YARD SIGNS ©Bett Padgett 2020
Don’t take my yard signs, they’re not yours, they are mine.
Why’s it so hard for you to stay out of my yard.
It’s plain to see on politics we don’t agree
But that’s no reason for you to feel you have a right to come and steal
My yard signs…..
It’s fun to think of things to do just to get back at you
Signs I bought to replace, these new signs you’ll want to take.
Yes, I’m bitter, that’s a fact. Don’t want to harm you or attack,
If you want to know the truth, all I really want from you’s
My yard signs— they’re not yours, they are mine. Why’s it so hard for you to stay out of my yard.
It’s plain to see on politics we don’t agree
But that’s no reason for you to feel you have a right to come and steal
My yard signs…..
You know where I stand, but now I’ve got a bigger plan
For every sign you break or take is more money for my candidate
So each sign you crush to the core it only helps my party more
You hurt my wallet but instead you’re helping my guys get ahead
Don’t take my yard signs, they’re not yours, they are mine.
Why’s it so hard for you to stay out of my yard.
It’s plain to see on politics we don’t agree
But that’s no reason for you to feel you have a right to come and steal
My yard signs….. We asked our grandkids to make signs supporting Joe Biden for our yard. Their signs were creative & unique had a special meaning for all of us as our grands learned about the candidates, our constitution and importance of voting. Not only were our political signs taken initially, but also signs that were not related to politics. After the first two stressful incidents, we added some security on our property.
Due to the current political climate, people are overly stressed and the intensifying of a 100-year pandemic adds to this complexity. Even though our country is severely divided philosophically, racially and socially, we believe actions of destruction and violence are not part of the solution. If this nation is to come together, it begins with respect for each other and differing views.
We would like to say to the young folks who came on our property last night: “Let’s find a better way to express our differences and respect each other’s values. Last night’s action (we hope) is not who you really are, but you are still responsible for these actions. We share this video in hopes that you might seek a better way to reflect your passion & beliefs. And if/when you are ready, you know where we live, and we can meet & begin to build something positive together.”
“It’s Up to You and Me” by Laurie Lewis
“I just put together a little get-out-the-vote ditty (with some help from Tom Rozum, Brandon Godman, Ricky Mier, and Flatt & Scruggs) that I hope you’ll like. It’s only a minute and 18 seconds long, so not too big a commitment to give it a look and listen” – Laurie Lewis
“Gonna Vote Your Asses Out” by Emma’s Revolution
“Gonna Vote Your Asses Out!” (c) 2020 Sandy O, Pat Humphries (Moving Forward Music BMI)
Award-winning, activist musicians, Pat Humphries & Sandy O of Emma’s Revolution are known for fearless, truth-telling lyrics and melodies you can’t resist singing. Their latest song, “Gonna Vote Your Asses Out!”, is a punchy ear worm that’ll inspire you to get out the vote and make you laugh while you’re doing it. Sandy O says, “We originally wrote the song for a demonstration in early February when the Senate failed to impeach Trump. A couple weeks later, we went into the studio and recorded our parts. COVID hit soon after and, while everything else slowed to almost a halt, Trump continued to do one egregious thing after the other and we had to keep rewriting the lyrics. The Bible photo-op was the last straw and the last rewrite.” The duo then started down the path of re-recording at home, getting musicians to record at their locations and, finally, doing a socially-distanced video. Pat adds, “We’re pretty sure you know whose asses we’re singing about. But, if you’re not, you’ll see some of their smug faces in the video. It’s a long list, so we couldn’t include them all.” Emma’s Revolution is based in Oakland, CA and joining them on the recording and video are a trio of powerhouse Bay-Area musicians: Susie Davis on accordion (Mick Jagger, Melissa Etheridge), Vicki Randle on bass (The Tonight Show Band, Mavis Staples) and Kofy Brown on drums (Skip the Needle, The Kofy Brown Band). The song was mixed and mastered by Daryn Roven @ The Raindrop, masked videos were shot by videographer, Sara St Martin Lynne, and Broadway percussionist/drummer, Steve Holloway, created the video. Another of Emma’s Revolution’s latest releases has already begun receiving accolades. “Our House is on Fire” has been selected as the opening track for Hope Rises, the forthcoming compilation CD from Music To Life, a national nonprofit co-founded by Noel (Paul) Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary. The panel of acclaimed songwriters, Eliza Gilkyson, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, Deidre McCalla, SaulPaul, and Tom Paxton and Peter Yarrow, chose the song from 100+ submissions.
“Voting USA” by Hali Hammer
To the tune of Surfin’ USA/Sweet Little Sixteen, a song to Get Out the Vote!
New words by Hali Hammer. Hali on vocals, acoustic guitar and bass, Randy Berge on electric bass and backup vocals.
“Sunshine Postman” by Sheeboom
We have been together for 11 years, learning rhythms and writing songs based on our vast repertoire of stuff we carry around in our collective heads under the tutelage of our percussion guru, Brazilian drummer par excellence Marcus Santos. He teaches us the rhythms and we work together to incorporate and use them in topical/political songs we write by sampling all kinds of music from our past. We’ve covered such issues as sexual harrassment with an adaptation of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Were Made for Walking, the invasion of our privacy in Big Data, and traffic and the need for space in the city in a version of Don’t Fence Me In and the general need for resistance in Get up Stand Up and many more. Our recordings are made in Somerville at one of our members’ home where we rehearse, or at our gigs around town. We call ourselves Somerville/Cambridge’s only post menopausal Brazilian drum band. We write all our music together, and we are, in no particular order:
Deb Pacini, Candyce Dostert, Lisa Doyle, Janine Fay, Lesley Bannatyne, Janet Axelrod, Adria Steinberg, Julie Schneider.
Ain’t no Sunshine till he’s gone,
Only darkness every day.
Ain’t no sunshine till he’s gone, and this country ain’t our home
Any time he gets his way.
Ain’t no Sunshine till he’s gone,
Only madness every day.
Ain’t no sunshine till he’s gone, and this country ain’t our home
Any time he gets his way.
Ain’t no Sunshine till he’s gone,
Only lying every day.
Ain’t no sunshine till he’s gone, and this country ain’t our home
Any time he gets his way.
Go vote, go vote, go vote, go vote, go vote, go vote!
Ain’t no time to hesitate, our democracy’s at stake.
Go vote, go vote, go vote go vote go vote (x2)
Wait!
Yes, wait a minute mister postman
Wai ai ai ait mr. Postman.
Oh Mr. Postman, look and see
If there’s a ballot in your bag for me.
I’ve been waiting such a long time,
Just to vote without standing in line.
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Mr. Postman, oh yeah!
Deliver the ballot, it’s gotta be valid (x3)
Go vote, go vote, go vote, go vote
GO VOTE!
“Cast Your Ballot, Do Your Part” by April Verch
“I wrote a song to encourage people to vote, and my husband Cody and I played it for the first time last night in a casual livestream we did.”
“Today I Get to Go and Cast a Vote” by David Roth
Today I Get to Go and Cast a Vote © David Roth ~ www.davidrothmusic.com
Today I got to go and cast a vote
All privileged and loaded up with hope
I will never take this right for granted, nope
Today I got to go and cast a vote
I voted for a guy I know named Dan
But it wasn’t just because I know him, he’s an honest man
He does the things he says that he will do
How many politicians do you know for whom that’s true?
It’s my observation that candidates will say the things
They think that their constituents want to hear
In order to get voted in, they make up stuff, accuse and spin
Misinform, exaggerate, and smear
What about the rest of us, the ones who pay their salaries
Left scratching our collective heads for lack of
Decent health insurance, Wall Street bungling,
Headline jumbling, sound bite chewing venom spewing,
Let’s agree to disagree and have a conversation
Today I get to go and cast a vote
I hope the votes are counted fairly in those envelopes
I will never take this right for granted, nope
Today I got to go and cast a vote
I’m not up for any office, but if pressed I’d make a platform
On which I could stand and there’d be lots of room for you
How ‘bout this, take care of business here at home and
With what’s left we’ll go around the world and do the best that we can do
Then I’d figure out how we could rout about three trillion dollars
Pull it out of fighting, how ‘bout housing, education
Weaning off of fossil fuel, some environment protection,
Love and let love, we’ve got a big election…
I’d add a dose of foresight, unlike many corporations seeking
Short-term profit, making money quickly as they can
On my platform there’d be room for long term planning,
Nonsense banning, budgets spanning lifetimes so our kids will have a chance
But I’m not running, I’m just voting, I’ll be toting my agenda
More addenda coming as we fashion our new visions
Starting here and now with Dan, I still believe it, yes we can
With powerful and personal decisions
Today I get to go and cast a vote
All privileged and loaded up with hope
I will never take this right for granted, nope
Today I got to go and cast a vote
Other countries in the world please take note
Today I got to go and cast a vote
“The Woman’s Suffrage Song” by Sharleen Leahey
©2020 words & music by Sharleen Leahey • August Echo Music / BMI
Sharleen Leahey performs “The Woman Suffrage Song” at the 4th Annual Women’s Work Concert at the Howland Arts Center in Beacon, NY. The song chronicles the 72-year-long struggle American women waged for the right to vote. This year we celebrate the Centennial of the passage of the 19th amendment on August 26, 1920. in celebration of the Centennial!
FREE DOWNLOAD
“The Woman’s Suffrage Song”
available on Sharleen’s 3rd CD “For the 99” available online at:
https://www.rumorsofpeace.net/the-woman-s-suffrage-song
“The Election Song” by Charlotte Block
Written by Joanne Crabtree with a few new lyrics by me. She calls it “Nothing Less Will Do.” I just call it “The Election Song.”
“Voter Fraud is a Fraud “by Lauren Mayer
“Vote” by Spook Handy
In 2003, Pete Seeger heard the song “Vote” written by Spook Handy and began singing it at concerts and festivals. Seeger and Handy have sung the song together on stage several times. This is just one of many Spook Handy tunes that address political and social issues. This song has also been described as similar to a Pete Paul and Mary or Tom Paxton song. Other songs have been compared to those of Phil Ochs and John Prine.
Here are the lyrics:
1. When politicians come to town and kiss babies til their noses turns brown you can bet your bottom dollar they want your vote. So speak your mind, cause believe it or not this world has become a big melting pot. It’s easy to get yourself lost in the lot cause the world’s made up of all kinds of people, so
Chorus:
2. We’ve got fuzzy headed peace loving carrot chomping farmer boys, Skin headed neo-nazi face bashing paranoids, Fat cats sitting back scoffing at the tabloids, yup. And theres cross burning, homophobic, church going family types, Flag burning, anti-war, give the poor more types, Out of school, know it all, Cliff Clavin prototypes,…..
Chorus:
3. Weve got men hating aggravating right wing feminists Pro-life clinic burning gospel preaching terrorists City dwelling unemployed folks who can’t stand it no more, Sky choking river killing free market advocates Tree loving owl hugging pro-environmentalists Urban folk high on dope raising up their clenched fists………
Chorus:
4. Now Farmer Josh lives up on the mountain. grows his own food drinks from Mother Nature’s fountain and only gets down into town around once a week. And all the pretty young gals from the near by high school stop by his farm cause they think he’s so cool chewing on wheat grass and spitting out philosophy. He says, “Looking at life cosmologically, we’re all cells in the body of the Almighty and with God-like nature we create our own reality. But down here on Earth – that’s a different ball of wax
We’ve got to eat, pay all kinds of taxes, and form governments that have laws to pass cause the world’s made up of all kinds of people, so Vote!
The recording of the song can be found on “Breakfast at Bill’s.”
“Three Faces in a Row” by Charlie King
After attending the 2013 March on Washington I wrote “3 Faces In a Row,’ to echo Rev. Sharpton’s powerful call to challenge Voter Suppression.
“We’re on our way to North Carolina, we’re on our way to Texas, we’re on our way to Florida. And when they ask us for our voter ID, take out a photo of Medgar Evers; take out a photo of Goodman, Chaney & Schwerner; take out a photo of Viola Liuzzo – they gave their lives so we could vote. Look at this photo. It gives you the idea of who we are.” Rev. Al Sharpton, Aug. 24, 2013, 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
“Not Going Back (I Don’t Think So)” words and music by Mary Lou Fulton
Not Going Back is the winner of the Social Change Song of the Year contest organized by the Renaissance Artists and Writers Association! See notgoingback.org for more about the song and to request free sheet music and choir arrangements.
Credits: Lyrics and vocals by Mary Lou Fulton Music by Mary Lou Fulton & Rob Seals, founder of the Songwriting School of Los Angeles Song arranged and produced by Rob Seals, who also played acoustic guitar Video directed and produced by Joe Rubalcaba, https://joe-rubalcaba.com/
“Vote Dammit!” by John McCutcheon
Vote, Dammit!
words & music by John McCutcheon
John Lewis walked across that bridge
(So you could) vote, dammit
Like a soldier charging up a ridge
(So you could) vote, dammit
Since that day in Selma town
When violence threw him to the ground
He rose each time he was beaten down
So vote, dammit
Chorus
Vote dammit
Stand in line
Vote dammit
Every time
Prove your power, let it shine
And vote dammit
They fought the Klan, they fought Jim Crow
(So you could) vote, dammit
They fought so you could have it so
So vote, dammit
They were brave and they were true
Did what they were asked to do
Now the future looks to you
So vote, dammit
Chorus
For fifty years we’ve had to fight
So vote, dammit
Still they try to steal our right
So vote, dammit
Will you rise when you are asked to stand
When the call goes out, will you raise your hand
Let your voice be heard across this land
So vote, dammit
Chorus
Bridge
All those heroes of the past
Dreamed ‘bout the ballot that they’d cast
Prayed their sacrifice would last
So, on that Tuesday in November
Vote, dammit
Those gone before we will remember
Vote, dammit
‘Cause freedom is not guaranteed
We are the proof that they’d succeed
Good Trouble is just what we need
So vote, dammit
Chorus
July 31, 2020
St. George Island, FL
“1920” by Saro Lynch-Thomason and Sam Gleaves
“1920“
–written by Sam Gleaves, Si Kahn and Saro Lynch-Thomason
–performed by Saro ynch-Thomason and Sam Gleaves on the album, I Have Known Women
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
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
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
Give thanks to those who showed the way
In their histories you will find
How fierce love and stubborn strength
Will help us 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
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
We go on, we still go on
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
“Your Vote is Your Voice”
“Your Vote is Your Voice”
Words and music by Tobi Nielsen© 2020 Tobi Nielsen
Chorus:
Your vote is your voice so use it.
Your vote is your voice—show that you care!
Your vote is your voice go do it.
Rise up and be counted keep things fair!
When less than half the people vote
Then less than a quarter decide.
It’s my right to cast my vote,
And show my American Pride.
The people who can have an obligation
To vote on behalf of those who can’t,
Whatever the reason or regulation
That causes disenfranchisement!
If you can vote, use your vote.
If we all vote it’s a super power.
United we stand, divided we fall.
All for one and one for all.
Chorus
All together we’re hurt or helped
By the rules our representatives make,
So use your vote to approve or deny
The power to legislate!
If you can vote, use your vote.
If we all vote it’s a super power.
United we stand, divided we fall.
All for one and one for all.
Chorus
Chorus
“Your Vote is Your Voice”
“Your Vote is Your Voice”
Words and music by Tobi Nielsen© 2020 Tobi Nielsen
Chorus:
Your vote is your voice so use it.
Your vote is your voice—show that you care!
Your vote is your voice go do it.
Rise up and be counted keep things fair!
When less than half the people vote
Then less than a quarter decide.
It’s my right to cast my vote,
And show my American Pride.
The people who can have an obligation
To vote on behalf of those who can’t,
Whatever the reason or regulation
That causes disenfranchisement!
If you can vote, use your vote.
If we all vote it’s a super power.
United we stand, divided we fall.
All for one and one for all.
Chorus
All together we’re hurt or helped
By the rules our representatives make,
So use your vote to approve or deny
The power to legislate!
If you can vote, use your vote.
If we all vote it’s a super power.
United we stand, divided we fall.
All for one and one for all.
Chorus
Chorus
Democracy
By Uasuf Gueye
Vote!
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Voting is a way to give the people a choice
It’s a way to give the people a voice
It’s a way that all the people can fight
To protect their rights, give a little advice
Come and give their own opinions so their life’ll be nice
It’s a little way to give the citizens some hope
So we can have better jobs and we won’t be broke
Come on vote, if we don’t they never know how you feel
Gotta know you have the power, gotta know that it’s real
When they make new laws, when they pass new bills
When Congress goes to meet down on Capitol Hill
When we’re looking for a way to make the government listen
So we can have an input when they’re making decisions
That effect our neighborhoods and the way that we living
When we look around and see that maybe something is missing
The very next election we can go and let ‘em know how we feeling
We get to pick the ones who sit in the seats of Congress
The governor, the mayor, even the president
They represent all the people they here for the residents
Come on vote, everybody has a chance to be in
If we all do our part we all have a chance to win
And defend the way we live together as citizens
Let’s begin by deciding who it is we gonna send
To represent the people when the next elections begin
If you’re rich or you’re poor you still get to have a say
Cuz everybody’s equal on Election Day
Vote!
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Vote!
Democracy means the people rule
Vote!
“Your Own Reaction” Your Own Reaction ©Deborah Crooks/Kwame Copeland (ASCAP)
Light a match, light a fire across the sky
Blow out the windows ask yourself why
Yesterday’s words disappear
You think you save something and it’s just a blur
Start your own reaction, see what you can do
Light a candle, spark a flame in your heart
Look out for glass it will tear you apart
Moth goes toward what will hurt it most
We go toward the light, hope we don’t turn to toast
Start your own reaction see what you can do
Holes in the ice, holes in the ozone
Light a match, light a fire across the sky
Meteors spinning, craters are forming
Water filling everything in
Start your own reaction, see what you can do
Start your own reaction, see what you can do
Start your own reaction, see what you can do
Start your own reaction, see what you can do
My wife (Abby) and I wanted to make a short video to highlight the early voting locations in Lexington and how easy and important it is. Was inspired when Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins said this last week, “I’m concerned that we’re going to have lines and people are going to be angry despite the fact that I’ve been trying to say all along get your ballot, vote by mail, and not to wait until the end.” I filmed the footage while canvassing for The People’s Campaign. We made an original song for it so there would be no issues sharing on any social media site- and Gloria helped
You say you don’t like how things are going these days
The tv, the radio the print news a mess & a maze
You want law & order & the police to behave
The government’s slow & corporations always get their way
Once upon a time they didn’t let most folk vote
The Plato’s & Cicero’s were 10% of the folks
In the early US, it was the same privileged gents
We tried & died to get more people under the tent
So, go & vote, you can stand in a line
Go on & vote, use the mail it’s fine
Go on & vote, don’t get taken for a ride
Go on & vote, we’ve got no place to hide
The folks not voting are the largest party today
They complain about our justice, jobs & the economy
They say 1 party, 2 or 3 seem all the same
Whom can I trust, who really is to blame?
Go on & vote, it won’t solve everything
Go on & vote, it’s the first step to change
Go on & vote, a better world is in range
Go on & vote, don’t need to stay the same
They used to burn witches, and whip the poor & the slaves
The sit-down strikers, freedom-riders, and the bridge-crossing brave
All around this world most folks feel basically the same
Yes, Bella Ciao to the past here come’s a better day
Go on & vote, you can stand in the line
Go on & vote, use the mail it’s fine
Go & on vote, don’t get taken for a ride
Go on & vote, we’ve got no place to hide
Go on & vote, it won’t solve everything
Go on & vote, the first step to change
Go on & vote, a better goal is in range
Go on & vote, don’t need to stay the same
Go on & vote, nothing stays the same