This is Pat, Janis' wife. Janis is still banned, but has just put up a new free download - you're welcome to share it! https://soundcloud.com/janisianpro
SEARCHING FOR AMERICA
(Janis Ian)
They herded us like so much meat
up from the sewers to the street
where concrete canyons stretched their walls
so high it made us want to crawl
Past proverbs writ on subway cars,
and in between the window bars
We walked until that pavement bled,
and not a curse was left unsaid
Searching for America, in the rivets and the rust
Searching for America. Finding only dust
They gave us each a cropper's shack,
and land so hard it broke the back
Then fed us 'til our bellies burst
on promises that died at birth
So I lay the baby out each dawn,
in between the tender corn
with sunrise for her bonnet,
and flies her only blanket
We harvested until we bled,
and every single root ran red
When the work was finally done,
they gave our names to immigration
Searching for America, all her dreams and hopes
Searching for America. Finding only ghosts
Who are these people you have seen,
to dream this dark and distant dream?
To tell the stories you have told?
To leave these bruises on your soul?
We are the flesh, we are the bone.
We are the very cornerstone
We leave our mansions and our shacks
to hide here in between the cracks
To walk when we can run no more,
and wash up on some distant shore
where truth is not the enemy,
and whatever does not kill us, sets us free
Somewhere out there are millions just like me
We are homesick for Eden. Heartsick at the memory
Searching for America, in every stick and stone
Searching for America. Going home
Searching for America. Going home
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