FAWM: "American"

American

1 week ago by @rocketgrrrl

American

rocketgrrrl

00:00

Liner Notes

#folk #political #girlwithukulele #fuc

I started FAWM on my morning dog walk, looking down the winding Dutch street I now call home. This sleepy little town is my place of refuge from a world gone mad - from a place where I am no longer welcome.

But I started to feel just a bit like the intruder that some would see me as - the harbinger of something to come. By the time I got home, I had half the song.

Lyrics

American Jemma Kline

The bricks are rounded, wet and cold, As birds are watching from atop the ruddy tiles. My back is straight, my gaze is bold, But I am keeping secrets locked behind my smile.

So welcome me into your land. I’ll be your friend, give you a hand, The shadow stretching where I stand, American.

I buy a house and settle in. As children play outside, I am looking at the news. For I can feel the autumn wind, And I can smell the blood that’s left upon my shoes.

So welcome me into your land. I’ll be your friend, give you a hand, The shadow stretching where I stand, American.

Now cities darken in the distance as they cut the power lines, Their people hiding from the rockets that are falling from the sky. I see the signs. I know my kind. Their hands have touched upon this place where I had hoped that I could hide.

So welcome me into your land. I’ll be your friend, give you a hand, The shadow stretching where I stand, American.

Comments

@mtanguay 20h

There is real fire in your vocal, to match the clear picture you paint. This is a very strong and haunting song.

@froggymagee 5d

Top-notch lyrics right here! Really liking your vocal melodies throughout, too, and all the different strumming patterns/picking on the uke! Awesomeness!

@jamkar 1w

A different kind of perspective from one who is abandoning the chaos and terror, but is still basically American, with democratic beliefs. Lot's of positive energy, and yet something sinister is reaching out in the final verse. Well done!

@edwinb 1w

This is excellent. I like the chorus and the promise it offers in contrast to the verses, and then it hits you with "the shadow stretching where I stand". Anyway - I hope they are welcoming you!

@philkmills 1w

Nicely written (and presented). It's a well-balanced mix of dark images and a positive response.

@frenchcricket 1w

God this is good, like some sort of lost Joan Baez record or something. I love the unusual emphasis on AmeriCAN, like it's reflecting the land and language having been corrupted. And what a brilliant use of the single word refrain. It's literate as Hell yet understated. Really well done, Jemma.

@rocketgrrrl 1w

Joan Baez is such goals! Or maybe a bit of Buffy Sainte-Marie. I'm so glad you spotted the AmeriCAN emphasis and assumed it was intentional - it was (or at least it worked well and I justified it). For me, it reflects how I hear people speaking various languages over here pronouncing 'American' differently - and they see me differently. Thank you so much :)

@newukenewyork 1w

I like how fierce and resolute your vocals are — very nice energy! The picking interludes transitioning to strumming works really well here.

@laurenoxford 1w

i believe you’ve written my favorite chorus of FAWM thus far. it’s so simple but fully captures all the complexity—the friendly generosity along with the assumption that everything revolves around you—of being an american. “The shadow stretching where I stand” is just so evocative on its own, but especially because it immediately follows “I’ll be your friend, give you a hand”

just brilliant, tbh. what a song you’ve written applause

@kc_ 1w

WoW... Great write... impactful... you have my attention.

@honeyfeathers 1w

Yeah.. I totally feel this. I'm living in Brazil now, and I am also trying to live by ethics in such a way that I am part of the community instead of a modern day expat colonizer. By kind to yourself. Your shadow looks darker to you than it is. I liked your song a lot a lot, thanks for sharing that.