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Protest Song (Live At Occupy Wall Street)

from GioSafari Does NYC by GioSafari

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about

Protest Song was the title track of my debut EP "Protest Songs (Are Dead)", released on August 17th 2011, exactly one month before the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations began in the financial district of Manhattan. This track was recorded at Zuccotti Park during those demonstrations, by documentary filmmaker Karen Kramer.

lyrics

They say the art of protest songs is dead,
that we should write romantic songs instead;
a tune about the moon, the sun, the stars;
a tune about balloons and fun at bars -
about the things that lift us til we fall,
or songs about, well, really nothing at all.
When thousands die each day for lack of bread,
nothing is preferred to something said.

If you wanna hear a song of love,
please know that you're the one I'm thinking of
as I write on behalf of the oppressed
and resurrect a canon of protest!

I'll boldly look the devil in the face
and bring hope peace and love where there is violence and hate.
In my love I'll challenge you to be
the changes in the world you want to see.

Noone wants to hear about the wars,
the plight and exploitation of the poor;
you want to hear of blissful, happy things:
the joys that money sex and drugs can brings,
about the rainbows, flowers, and sunshine -
just make it seem that everything is fne.
This way you'll be able to ignore
the violence you are responsible for.

I'll boldly look the devil in the face
and bring hope peace and love where there is violence and hate.
In my love I'll challenge you to be
the changes in the world you want to see.

So you want to avoid reality,
and I should steer clear of controversy -
avoid today's politics & religion,
and stick to polite table conversation;
tell you what I've done throughout the day
as I push vegetables around my plate.
singing songs of little consequence
and leaving you in blissful ignorance.

But I love you too much to let you stay
and those are not the songs I care to play.
I'd rather peel the scales back from your eyes
so we can weigh the truth against the lies.

We'll boldly look the devil in the face
and bring hope, peace, and love where there is violence and hate
we'll challenge each other always to be...
the changes in the world we want to see.

credits

from GioSafari Does NYC, released September 5, 2014

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about

GioSafari New York, New York

GioSafari was the pseudonym for singer-songwriter and peace activator Gio Andollo. He lives in NYC, where he has committed to music - songwriting, recording, busking, performing, promoting - and activism. He speaks truth to power in the heart of Empire, recalling the subversive musical traditions of American folk & punk, singing for peace & justice, and advocating the use of bicycle helmets. ... more

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