FAWM: "The way we welcome the stranger (skirmish)"

The way we welcome the stranger (skirmish)

5 hours ago by @mikeskliar

Skirmish: STRANGER (@corinnecurcio)

The way we welcome the stranger (skirmish)

mikeskliar

00:00

Liner Notes

#skirmish #stranger #mandolin #protest #political This was a skirmish where you have an hour to write and record something to a prompt- the prompt was 'stranger' and I went in the direction of some of whats happening now, sadly, here in the US. Did a quick recording- that's my Flatiron mandolin, then vocal overdub then harmonica. Done real fast, and mixed even faster....

Lyrics

The way we now welcome the stranger here Feels so strange to see But if you go back 90 or a hundred years Immigration has a complex history

America shut its doors before After welcoming so many in In the 1920’s xenophobic forces Shut the gates to what could have been

So in the 1930’s so many could have been saved Who ended up in concentration camps There was still a lady here in the harbor But most people could not see her lamp

And now those same xenophobic forces Push so called ‘safety’ at any price Saying ‘narco terrorism’ and ‘violent criminals’ And on the streets you now see ICE

And whatever bound us up as a society Our shared values hopes and dreams Its in pieces, we’re all in pieces Trying to figure out what it all means

Sure there’s bad folks but there’s a lot of good ones We’re throwing into prisons dark and damp There’s still a lady in the NY harbor How many of us still see her lamp?

Comments

@willow1 31m

Excellent write and that harmonica sings so lovely at the end

@corinnecurcio 4h

A history lesson and great writing. You've said so much in a few words Mike

@jem 4h

As you said, we both had a similar reaction to the prompt. Your mention of the lady in the harbor with the lamp is very poignant. Very nicely done -Phil Ochs and Arlo Guthrie come to mind. I was wondering whether there'd be a forum for protest songs.

@oneslowtyper 4h

Sing it, say it, and pray it, Mike! Seems all the people who NEED to remember history just simply refuse the lesson. I love that last line with Lady Liberty. It must kill you to see her out there everyday, and know how perilous our freedom is right now. Good job, Mike. Cheers, John

@porrectus 4h

Poignant message for sure. A good reminder of the cycle or history. Well delivered. Great take on the prompt.

@gflatminor 4h

Great job. I love the mando! And the line "How many of us still see her lamp?" We know you're saying something important when you go all talking-blues.

@coolparadisoMod 4h

Nice mando start. mine is out n about this year. a topic in almost every country these days, a very complex issue. I like your gentle push here

@johnstaples 4h

Excellent song in the spirit of a bygone era. I dunno whether to call you Bob or Joan, maybe Mike Baez Zimmerman Skliar? You really cover a lot of ground with this one. And these songs are surprisingly difficult to pull off but pull it off you do! The "see her lamp" bit really drives home the point! Lovely mandolin playing and that harmonica at the end ices this cake! Nice work, fellow patriot!