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Album: Skies Ablaze |
Yes I Will Dance
 Karen Silkwood  |
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Track: 2. Women of Belau |
Music and Lyrics by Linda Hirschhorn © 1982 (BMI)
Lead Vocal: Linda Hirschhorn
Guitar: Nancy Vogl
Bass: Bill Douglass
Viola: Tay Holden
Violin: Chris Mandell
Flute: Cathy Holt
Belau is a matriarchy in the Micronesian Islands with a religion that regards land and water as holy. On four separate occasions the United States has attempted to have the people overturn their nuclear-free constitution (the only republic in the world to date that has one), as it does not fit into American strategic defense plans. In the traditional clan structure - which coexists with a modern western-style governing body - women have the power to appoint and revoke the leadership and determine the disposition of lands. Nearby, in the Marshall Islands, the U.S. has conducted its MX testing.
Hearken to the women of Belau!
They live a simple life from day to day.
But over them now hangs an angry cloud
left by men from so far away.
Slowly women move from clan to clan
spreading ancient wisdom here and now,
and if we're feeling cut off from the past,
we might hearken to the women of Belau.
Fishing in the reef, hunting in the wood,
gathering what the earth allows.
and if we're feeling cut off from the past,
we might hearken to the women of Belau.
Testing bombs, testing war machines,
sacred grounds become a sacrifice.
Refusing to see just what it means,
in the end we all will have to pay the price.
Slowly women move from clan to clan
spreading ancient wisdom here and now,
and if we're feeling cut off from the past,
we might hearken to the women of Belau.
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© 1982 Linda Hirschhorn, Kehila Publications (BMI) ℗  Oyster Albums, P.O. Box 3929, Berkeley, CA 949703
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