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Some of you may be aware of the economic turmoil that is happening in my home country of Zimbabwe. It is a complete shambles.
My sister and my mum still live there so this song is based on conversations I have with them all the time.
I went up there in October last year and I could just smell trouble brewing. It is such a pity because it is a truly beautiful country with such a lot of potential. It is going to take someone very brainy to get them out of this economic mess.
But the most amazing thing is how resilient the Zimbabweans are. They still smile and laugh even though things are going to pot around them. No matter how bad it is the weather is still good and everything is still okay.
I went back home to my old town
Just the other day
Took a tour though my old school
To pass the time away
The fields were all over gown
Since I passed this way
I met a young guy walking through
Here's what he had to say
My sister has been poorly
My father's got the flu
We cant get any petrol
and now the bread's short too
But even if we could
we could never pay
But the weather's really good here
and everything's okay
If we go out drinking
I offer the first round
Cause if I wait until the last
Its doubled pound for pound
Im saving up my dollars
In case I'm in a bind
Using up RTGS
Some shops dont seem to mind
But even if they did
then they would never say
And the weather's really good here
and everything's okay
And if we want to fly down south
Is a mission just to pay
You have dodge the potholes
to swipe your card that day
And even if I couldnt
then I would still remain
And the weather's really good here
and everything's okay
But colas really cheap here
I dont know why that is
Perhaps its made up locally
But it doesnt have much fizz
And wine dont even talk to me
We cannot drink a drop
Its way to dear for us to drink
Extortion has to stop
I spend my time in petrol queues
its really not much fun
I try to laugh I try to joke
while baking in the sun
But even if I didnt
I would surely stay
Cause the weathers really good here
And everythings okay
@kahlo2013 Feb 19
What a situation and such an incredible optimism in the hook and compelling sense of community loyalty and belonging. Wonderfully story telling and lovely melody.
@dudachris Feb 17
I did a little bit of reading about the situation there. I pray your family and friends are safe and that a truly stable and benevolent government will soon be set up there. This is a beautiful song, thank you for sharing 😁
@ustaknow Feb 15
Great thesis for a "folk/protest" song, posted in that Forum here - how I found it 😀
As we learned in our "Tri-State", NYC area this week, sometimes folks have to look at what they are saying no, or yes to. Folks *fighting for min-wage jobs, just pushed out Amazon with a min of 25K @ $150K Average job, estimated to be over 70K jobs and a company like that usually "lasts" a few Generations of human-life times.
There's allot to unpack in these songs; but, far better to head off a problem than reverse engineer one.
I've not heard anything about your country here, and if I did, with how things are "reported", I personally would have to do allot of my own research.
Amazon left NYC area yesterday because of the "hate" speak, and went to Virginia who was offering only a *fraction of the "Tax Incentives"; so, it wasn't the money, it was personal; a bad road to go down, never a choice.
I hope your country goes "your way", soon!
-- Peace, and happy FAWM2019 anyway, the weathers always good on the Net 😝
@spiegeltheeagle25 Feb 15
what a nice breezy tune about the calm jazz of life. ahhhh
@nancyrost Feb 14
I didn't know any of this, so it's educational as well! You deftly balance the description of the difficulties and the relaxed, upbeat attitude. Musically, it reminds me of Olivia Newton-John's country period. Lovely melody, and your voice is like honey.
@oneslowtyper Feb 14
This is both sad and uplifting at the same time, Joanne. I'm sure your biggest concern is for your family, as it should be. It amazes me of the strength that people have, as long as there is a glimmer of hope. Here's hoping that your family and their fellow countrymen find better days.
@keithcuts Feb 14
That was a sweet tale told well Joanne. Your instrumentation carries the day like a pro
@zxcvbnm Feb 14
I empathise, but I too have no solutions. Good song anyway! 😀