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STAR​-​BLOODED WORK SONG (feat. J. Hoard, Vuyo Sotashe, Elliott Skinner, Justin Hicks, Frankie Leroux, Gabo Lugo, Kyle Poole, Jonathan Pinson & Craig Hill)

by Samora Pinderhughes

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about

a coded anthem. a true representation of the people and histories that necessarily haunt and derange "The Star Spangled Banner."

a protest song . much love to all those who resist in all ways .

lyrics

STAR-BLOODED WORK SONG

Oh say, can you see?
Oh say, can you see?
By the dawn’s early light
What so LOUDLY we hail
At the twilight’s last gleaming
(burn, burn, burn / run, run, run)
All the violence and grieving

Whose broad stripes
(in the darkness)
and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
(Perilous flight)
Oh, the ramparts we watched
Were so gallantly feeding
Were so gallantly bleeding

And the rocket’s red glare
(Well now - ya better watch out! )
The bombs bursting in the air
(Well now - ya better watch out! )

Gave proof through the night,
That the past was still there

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave -
O say does that old LYING manner/manor yet stay

O’er the land - i can’t breathe !!!
and the home (am I slave?)
O’er the land of MONEY
and the home of the paid,
And the home of the grave .

Well now - Ya better watch out .

***

final words at the end of the song from:

-Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”,
spoken by Ossie Davis - lyrics here on pg. 2

-work song sung by prisoners at Angola Penitentiary

excerpt from Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” :

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.
Though that I had the ability and could reach the nation’s ear,
I would pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but FIRE. It is not the gentle shower, but THUNDER - we need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake !

The feeling of the nation must be quickened !
The conscience of the nation must be roused !
The propriety of the nation must be startled !
The hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed,
and its crimes against God and man must be
proclaimed, and denounced !

excerpt from work song :

Oh man … well now, look here, last summer, when I got my time
my brother got 100, I got a 99.

Well, if I had my pistol, wouldn’t do not one
If I had my pistol, wouldn’t do not one .

credits

released September 4, 2020
Anthem lyric edits & Music by Samora Pinderhughes
Frederick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”,
spoken by Ossie Davis .

Work songs at beginning and end of song, sung by prisoners at Angola Penitentiary .

Produced by Frankie Leroux

Vocalists:
Vuyo Sotashe
Jonathan Hoard
Elliott Skinner
Justin Hicks
Samora Pinderhughes

Instrumentalists:
Kyle Poole - drums
Gabo Lugo - bata, percussion
Craig Hill - saxophone
Jonathan Pinson - drums
Samora Pinderhughes - piano

Mixed by Frankie Leroux
Mastered by Wes Osborne

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Samora Pinderhughes New York, New York

Samora Pinderhughes is a composer, filmmaker, and interdisciplinary artist known for striking intimacy and carefully crafted, radically honest lyrics alongside high-level musicianship and cutting visuals. He works in the tradition of the black surrealists, those who bend word, sound, and image towards the causes of revolution. ... more

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