Not One More Day lyrics

NOT ONE MORE DAY

By Cairril Adaire
© 2008

Oh, freedom (2x)
Oh, freedom from bein’ ignored
We don’t want no more
Of this endless, pointless war
Not one more dollar
Not one more death
Not one more day

No more sufferin’
No more killin’
No more pain in my name (in my name)
Can you look me in the eye
And say all those people deserve to die
Not one more dollar
Not one more death
Not one more day

No more sendin’ our poor
To fight a rich man’s war
No more blood, blood for oil (no more blood for oil)
I’d rather be poor
Than see my country fight this war
Not one more dollar
Not one more death
Not one more day

No more spyin’
No more lyin’
No more secrets
No more shame (we are better than this)
We take to the streets and say
We are standing in your way
Not one more dollar
Not one more death
Not one more day

Not one more dollar
Not one more day
Not one cent of my money
Spent in this wicked way
Not one more death
Not one more death
Not one more of our children
Not one more of theirs

No more torture
We’re forced to pay for
No more torture
In my name (we are better than this)
I still believe
In the land of liberty
Not one more dollar
Not one more death
Not one more day

Vahine Taihara

SSAA. Mahoi (Polynesian) song transcribed from a field recording. Has a chant-like quality. Difficult to learn but very fun to sing, especially when imitating the “yowling cat” sounds of the field recording. Short solos and one wailing descant above the chanting, rhythmically interesting 4-part chorus. See KaiaSing.com for more info on the piece.

Poor Robin Is Dead Lyrics

(Addendum to Ouroboros post)

This is a song sung in my family for several generations. My mother learned it from her father, the seventh son of Irish immigrants. When I pointed out that the song was clearly Pagan, my mother exclaimed, “But it’s Irish!” Indeed.

Poor Robin is dead and he lays in his grave

Lays in his grave (2x)

Poor Robin is dead and he lays in his grave

Oh, oh, oh.

 

There grew an apple tree over his head

Over his head (2x)

There grew an apple tree over his head

Oh, oh, oh.

 

The apples were ripe and beginning to fall

Beginning to fall (2x)

The apples were ripe and beginning to fall

Oh, oh, oh.

 

There came an old woman a-pickin’ ‘em up

Pickin’ ‘em up (2x)

There came an old woman a-pickin’ ‘em up

Oh, oh, oh.

 

Her baskets filled up and she started away

Started away (2x)

Her baskets filled up and she started away

Oh, oh, oh.

 

Robin jumped up and he gave her a THUMP

Gave her a thump (2x)

Robin jumped up and he gave her a THUMP

Oh, oh, oh.

 

He made the old woman go hippety-hop

Hippety-hop (2x)

He made the old woman go hippety-hop

Oh, oh, oh.

 

If you wanna hear any more you can sing it yerself

Sing it yerself (2x)

If you wanna hear any more you can sing it yerself

Oh, oh, oh!

Vow

SSA with two soloists and drum. The most powerful piece I’ve ever heard about standing up to domestic violence. I take little claim for the piece; it came to me almost fully formed and I just fleshed it out. It’s a hard-driving critique of violence from all perspectives, centered around the vow itself:

I swear by the Earth and all I hold dear, / I will not stand by and watch this slaughter; / I will intervene, I’ll stand in your way; / You will not strike your sistah, your wife, a-your daughter! /

Must have two power soloists and an ensemble ready to go the emotional distance. Has received a standing ovation at every performance.

One version available on CD: The Indianapolis Women’s Chorus’ To Sing Is To Fly at Amazon.

On Our Way To Freedom Land

SSAAA with solo. African-American gospel. Crank it up! This hard-driving gospel tune was adapted during the civil rights movement to inspire activists. My version retains the call-and-response style but with more rhythmic diversity and an extremely active bass line. This piece requires soloists who really know how to wail.

Fatso

SSA. Jonatha Brooke/The Story. Sopranos and mezzos lead while altos accompany and make comments. Hilarious critique of dieting. The voices play off each other, one gamely convinced that being thin is the best thing and the other voicing the anguish of constant hunger. Alto part could easily be string bass. Note: This piece only works if the singers are big hams.

It Ain’t What You Do, It’s The Way That You Do It

SSA with drum. Up-tempo, upbeat, fun-to-sing and fun-to-hear song from 1939. Cab Calloway made it famous. This arrangement based on a Fun Boy Three arrangement from the ’80s. Lyrics are just what the title implies. Best performed this wearing chic sunglasses.