I phoned it in with this one (really did - I left my mic in my apartment and I'm home for the week).

But twas kind of a full circle to record this song in the house my parents have lived in for the majority of their lives in the US. Shoutout Vasu and Neeraja <3

For some context to the lyrics, my dad came from India in the early 90s, and his first job here was a server at Baskin-Robbins (this family runs on 31 flavors). Mom joined about 5 years later, a month after they got married, just two weeks after meeting.

Anyway, no human is illegal on stolen land. I'm biased but immigrants make this country great, and I hope we can get to a place where no one feels unsafe at the hands of their government.

#singersongwriter #acousticrock #acousticonetake #rock

Stepped in the airport Bare feet and pocket change Had a little help, but he found himself along the way

Job app in one hand, Ice cream in another Try to build a future As he sends money to his mother

You can survive, but do you know how to live? Without feeling like the ground beneath you could fall apart So you convert all your fear and all your anger into love Into sacrifice for those Who just live to take

She follows shortly A month after married Her brothers cry as they put her on that plane Packed all her bags, carried her blind faith In a man Together they both bear a burden to assimilate

All of the voices you couldn't comprehend Fall into a mouth you feed and work to understand All of the choices you never thought you had For all the times that your life strayed away from your plan

They put the papers in your hand Now they call it a mistake Rooted in a so called promised land But it's not for them to take Do the work for thirty years Maybe then I'll let you in Rooted in a so called promised land On the verge of its ruin

We can survive but do we know how to live? Without feeling like the ground beneath us will fall apart So I'll convert all my anger and my fear into these words So you'll understand It's not for them to take what's in your hands