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Song for Ferguson

from Song for Ferguson by An Historic

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I began writing this song on Monday night after the grand jury decision was announced. Like many, I was overwhelmed by anger and pain, but in my heart I knew I was expecting this, despite the valiant efforts of protestors in Ferguson and many on the Internet trying to keep attention on the story and expose the corruption of the Ferguson police department and the legal apparatus that led us to this point.

This keeps happening, and with increasing frequency, and there continues to be no accountability in this. As a light-skinned black man I am relatively lucky to have avoided a lot of the harassment and violence that has left us with so many dead Black children, women and men - victims both of police aggression and of vigilantism that refuses to recognize the humanity of Black Americans across this country. This is not just a Southern issue or a Midwestern issue, as many people believe in various places I've lived in the Northeastern US. I wrote this song to reflect on this situation and my position in it, and I'm posting the lyrics below to be 100% clear on what I mean. Thank you.

lyrics

Had a craving for the taste of blood
for the last few years, since I crawled out of the mud
Seems these days I want it more and more
turn the TV on, have to pick myself off the floor
Spent the last few months clenching my teeth
When I get sick it feels like relief
Sometimes I’m picking a fight when I sing
but there’s too much rage, I can’t do nothing

But Oh I can’t believe it
You heard the audio they caught him breathing his last
how quick you forget the past
how short your memory

It makes me wonder
when will the thunder come
it makes me wonder
when we won’t have to run

I know that I am lucky to still be breathing
I got arrested once and didn’t even catch a beating
Hold my breath a lot to keep down the stress
only works sometimes, don't know what to do with the rest
I could never put my faith in a system or a god
that could not recognize his many flaws
Sometimes I’m picking a fight when I sing
but there’s too much rage, I can’t do nothing

but oh I can’t believe it
another killer with a badge and his freedom
I know my wallet could be a gun
even with hands above my head

It makes me wonder
when will the thunder come
We're going under
Twenty eight hours gone

credits

from Song for Ferguson, released November 28, 2014
Written by Adam Matlock.

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An Historic New Haven

The home for the music of Adam Matlock, his songwriting alias An Historic, and his electronic project GZARA (fka G. Zarapanecko).

All music composed by Adam Matlock unless otherwise indicated. For all related projects, visit adammatlock.bandcamp.com

Contact: mystaltree@gmail.com
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