First of all, this song is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes and gave me goosebumps. That being said, I did not read your description of this song before I listened to it. Keeping that in mind, after the first verse I knew how the song was to be structured in it's delivery, so there's that. As I listened to each of the following verses my eyes started to swell up and tear with emotion, but not for the reasons you stated as to why you wrote this song. What came to my mind as I listened was the sad and difficult times in my life that I went through on a personal level such as my Father passing away, close friends that moved away from me, having to move away from my childhood home, losing a loved one to suicide, etc. In other words, all the difficult times I had to face, deal with, accept, and move on from in order to continue and live my life and survive. That's my initial impression that the song was trying to convey (the fact that life is rough and sometimes not fair) that in our journey in life we all will have to face such things as losing loved ones, natural disasters, hunger, etc. and we as individuals will have to carry on and face such events with strength and willpower to carry on now being stronger and more wise as a result. The absolute last thing that would have crossed my mind was that this, for the most part was a song with political undertones as its foundation. Now I'm not for ANY political party or viewpoint whatsoever, and people can choose what they want to believe, but aligning this beautiful piece of music to a political viewpoint drastically reduces the audience that's out there to receive and embrace such a soulful and positive and moving song. Just saying. If this song strikes a note for someone who has had experience dealing with racial or other social issues that's fine and justified IMO, I was just a little taken back after I read the description and seeing the name "Trump." Now don't get it twisted, I'm NOT a Trump supporter, or a Biden supporter. I have never voted and never will. People need to understand that ALL politicians are different wings of the same bird. They are ALL actors playing their roll on the worlds stage and they ALL take their orders from the same group of uber rich elites at the top. Anyways, sorry about the rant, I just think politics should stay out of the arts and culture of our lives because it will be the downfall of our society sure enough. I hope I didn't offend you Saro because I absolutely love your voice and admire your singing ability and musical talent, being a musician myself (drummer, piano, guitar) I can appreciate what goes into creating a song and all that it entails. P.S. I found your channel when I was researching the case of Frankie Silver and one of your videos about the ballad of Frankie came up in one of my searches. So of course I had to click on your thumbnail which took me to your breakdown of said song, which in turn lead me to your channel which in turn lead me to this awesome song! And YES I subscribed to your channel! Much love Saro, thank you for sharing your music with us all, you made my day for sure!
We just sang this song in our chapel service following the disaster of Hurricane Helene (I go to seminary in KY, but I’m originally from NC). Thank you for your gifts of music and lyricism; they are incredibly empowering ❤️
Music is sorely missing in today's protests. "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" over and over only goes so far. This song is powerful, truthful, and hope inspiring. Thank you!!!!
I agree with you Caroline! Chanting doesn't carry the same energy or sense of accomplishment as song. I'm glad you like this song and I'm glad it can be used in protest scenarios!
When I hear your work, Saro, I feel my 8 grand babies and 1 great grand baby will be in good hands when I'm gone because of the folks you inspire to carry on the struggle for peace and justice. I suppose this is a "building a ship may never sail on it gonna build it anyway" Utah Phillips moment for me. Stay well, and keep up the good work!
Coming back to this song always helps to top off my hope. As more and more we see the effects of the fires, waters, and mountains falling it is good to have this song to accompany me.
I was honored to hear Kari Gottfried sing this at an event today and I immediately had to find the song where I could here it again. A wonderful and moving piece.
Saro, I had the great pleasure of hearing you and your friend singing this song earlier today at the coffee shop on the French Broad River. What a superb song it is - I will be adding it to the repertoire that I use to lead sing alongs with my friends and family. Also, it made me think of the song, "I'm Gonna Walk It With You," by Ellie Grace and Brian Claflin. If you are not familiar with that one you might enjoy giving it a listen. Thank you, Kerry Stanley
Thank you Kerry! I am familiar with Brian's song- he's a friend! I'm so glad you like the song and you are welcome to spread it to friends and family! Be well!
I first heard this sung yesterday, by a group marching with the white supremacist counter-protest on the Boston Common; it touched me then and has been haunting me ever since. I had assumed it was an old folk song I'd just never heard before; I was astonished to discover it had a living creator. Know that it served to inspire action and to sow confusion among the enemy. (Literally; it was used at least once to sing down an abusive couple.) Thank you.
Hi David! I know you left this message 3 years ago, but I did want to respond and say that I'm so glad you enjoyed the song, and that it had such rad usage at the counter protest in Boston! I wrote the song imitating historic group song traditions, so I'm glad it's doing its job of being flexible and so easy to sing that it sounds "old!" :)
WOAH I have looked for this ALL OVER THE PLACE and it just showed up on my feed today! I listened to you sing this at a workshop you did a few years back. How amazing!
I love this song but also I just found it and I'm literally and metaphotically fires burning around me so like, half the verses are already outdated. :)
Sent here from yesturday's It Could Happen Here episode
Same
Sameee
Same. But also I listen to podcasts at 1.5x speed and let me tell you, this song slaps at that speed… real folk punk sound
@@Alpinefolkyou right this song slaps at a higher speed.
Came here from "It could happen here." What a beautiful song. I hope you and your family are safe.
I am safe and well. Thank you for asking. Honored to have my song featured on the show!
Solidarity forever ✊️
First of all, this song is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes and gave me goosebumps. That being said, I did not read your description
of this song before I listened to it. Keeping that in mind, after the first verse I knew how the song was to be structured in it's delivery, so there's that.
As I listened to each of the following verses my eyes started to swell up and tear with emotion, but not for the reasons you stated as to why you
wrote this song. What came to my mind as I listened was the sad and difficult times in my life that I went through on a personal level such as
my Father passing away, close friends that moved away from me, having to move away from my childhood home, losing a loved one to suicide, etc.
In other words, all the difficult times I had to face, deal with, accept, and move on from in order to continue and live my life and survive. That's my
initial impression that the song was trying to convey (the fact that life is rough and sometimes not fair) that in our journey in life we all will have to
face such things as losing loved ones, natural disasters, hunger, etc. and we as individuals will have to carry on and face such events with strength
and willpower to carry on now being stronger and more wise as a result. The absolute last thing that would have crossed my mind was that this,
for the most part was a song with political undertones as its foundation. Now I'm not for ANY political party or viewpoint whatsoever, and people can
choose what they want to believe, but aligning this beautiful piece of music to a political viewpoint drastically reduces the audience that's out there
to receive and embrace such a soulful and positive and moving song. Just saying. If this song strikes a note for someone who has had experience
dealing with racial or other social issues that's fine and justified IMO, I was just a little taken back after I read the description and seeing the name
"Trump." Now don't get it twisted, I'm NOT a Trump supporter, or a Biden supporter. I have never voted and never will. People need to understand
that ALL politicians are different wings of the same bird. They are ALL actors playing their roll on the worlds stage and they ALL take their orders
from the same group of uber rich elites at the top. Anyways, sorry about the rant, I just think politics should stay out of the arts and culture of our
lives because it will be the downfall of our society sure enough. I hope I didn't offend you Saro because I absolutely love your voice and admire
your singing ability and musical talent, being a musician myself (drummer, piano, guitar) I can appreciate what goes into creating a song and all
that it entails. P.S. I found your channel when I was researching the case of Frankie Silver and one of your videos about the ballad of Frankie came
up in one of my searches. So of course I had to click on your thumbnail which took me to your breakdown of said song, which in turn lead me to
your channel which in turn lead me to this awesome song! And YES I subscribed to your channel! Much love Saro, thank you for sharing your music
with us all, you made my day for sure!
Four years, one pandemic, and me feeling haggard and worn later, i find this song. I needed this
It sounds like it was soothing for you. I'm glad.
We just sang this song in our chapel service following the disaster of Hurricane Helene (I go to seminary in KY, but I’m originally from NC). Thank you for your gifts of music and lyricism; they are incredibly empowering ❤️
I'm glad (and saddened) that this song has so much resonance for so many. Thank you!
Also here from It Could Happen Here and this is a beautiful song
It Could Happen Here sent me here.
Music is sorely missing in today's protests. "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" over and over only goes so far. This song is powerful, truthful, and hope inspiring. Thank you!!!!
I agree with you Caroline! Chanting doesn't carry the same energy or sense of accomplishment as song. I'm glad you like this song and I'm glad it can be used in protest scenarios!
When I hear your work, Saro, I feel my 8 grand babies and 1 great grand baby will be in good hands when I'm gone because of the folks you inspire to carry on the struggle for peace and justice. I suppose this is a "building a ship may never sail on it gonna build it anyway" Utah Phillips moment for me. Stay well, and keep up the good work!
Hope you're safe over there in Asheville!
What a gift this song has been to many souls and many communities. It has lived and spread across the lands. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your kind words Kristopher. I'm honored that this song has traveled so far!
Coming back to this song always helps to top off my hope. As more and more we see the effects of the fires, waters, and mountains falling it is good to have this song to accompany me.
I'm so glad to hear this. These are hard times, and this song is meant to buoy us through it all.
Learned this song from Windborne last night and they directed us towards you, the creator. Thank you for this beautiful call to action!
You're welcome Doe! I'm honored by how far the song is traveling.
I was honored to hear Kari Gottfried sing this at an event today and I immediately had to find the song where I could here it again. A wonderful and moving piece.
I'm so glad you like it! This year I'm hoping to put together a nice professional music video of it!
Saro, I had the great pleasure of hearing you and your friend singing this song earlier today at the coffee shop on the French Broad River. What a superb song it is - I will be adding it to the repertoire that I use to lead sing alongs with my friends and family. Also, it made me think of the song, "I'm Gonna Walk It With You," by Ellie Grace and Brian Claflin. If you are not familiar with that one you might enjoy giving it a listen.
Thank you,
Kerry Stanley
Thank you Kerry! I am familiar with Brian's song- he's a friend! I'm so glad you like the song and you are welcome to spread it to friends and family! Be well!
I first heard this sung yesterday, by a group marching with the white supremacist counter-protest on the Boston Common; it touched me then and has been haunting me ever since. I had assumed it was an old folk song I'd just never heard before; I was astonished to discover it had a living creator.
Know that it served to inspire action and to sow confusion among the enemy. (Literally; it was used at least once to sing down an abusive couple.)
Thank you.
Hi David! I know you left this message 3 years ago, but I did want to respond and say that I'm so glad you enjoyed the song, and that it had such rad usage at the counter protest in Boston! I wrote the song imitating historic group song traditions, so I'm glad it's doing its job of being flexible and so easy to sing that it sounds "old!" :)
WOAH I have looked for this ALL OVER THE PLACE and it just showed up on my feed today! I listened to you sing this at a workshop you did a few years back. How amazing!
I'm glad you finally found it! I'm looking forward to doing a more professional version this year.
Beautiful singer. Beautiful song.❤️
Wonderful!!, I've enjoyed singing along to it ❤️
Beautiful beautiful song. Thank you for writing, singing, and sharing! ❤️
Thank you so much for your workshop, wisdom, and for this song.
This song is medicine. And you are a real gem Saro. All the love ♡
Thank you for your sweet words Catherine!
Thank you for this wondrous song.
This song is beautiful!
Great song--so good to again hear you sing
such beauty. thank you!!
I love this song but also I just found it and I'm literally and metaphotically fires burning around me so like, half the verses are already outdated. :)
Love this! I wish you would make a SoundCloud recording of it
Hi Kari! I agree! (This is a very late response, I know). I'm planning on making a professional music video for it this year, along with a recording.
💘 what a babe, take me to the river