This is a #july4th song, and a #political one as well. It's getting close to bedtime here in the Netherlands, and while I've heard a few fireworks in my tourist town, I won't have a proper Fourth - probably never again.

But I feel like I owe some inspirational music to those who could not or would not leave - those who might still be fighting.

For me, this is a #queer song, but I've tried to make it more than that. And it takes inspiration from my #LARPs.

Tomorrow, I'll finish the #folk melody (think Dm with some stirring Fs and Cs thrown in), probably on something #acoustic, but for now, here is your July 4th song.

Note that I only realized I had no chorus, and no song hook, at the end! I was very wrapped up in the story. I doubled the last line of each verse to compensate.

Rainbow Jemma Kline

I hear the ropes creaking; there’s smoke on the breeze. Then arrows are singing, giving voice to our need. Though their armor is bright, We charge with a cry, For our numbers are many, and we’ve no use for kings. Yes our numbers are many, and we’ve no use for kings.

With names as our banners, with colors as shields, We scale the embankment, spill blood on the field, We rewrite how we’re born, Rise up with a roar, For a poor man with freedom can be stronger than steel. Yes a poor man with freedom can be stronger than steel.

But the balance of their halberds was much finer than our shovels’, And the ramparts of conformity much taller than our cover. With our ribbons cut to pieces and our bodies in the gutter, Darkness falls.

Yet spring will bring flowers; the morning will come. So wait for the dawning, and wait for the sun. Then the rainbow will rise, So bright in their eyes, As the waters of sorrow show how victory’s won. Yes the waters of sorrow show how victory’s won.