Karyn Oliver: Music
America
(Karyn Oliver)
words and music by Karyn Oliver Lehr, recorded at Ty Ford Studio
I wrote this in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Like many people, I was so angry I didn't know what else to do with myself. My hope is that this song has a life beyond this particular catastrophe.
AMERICA
Late at night while you’re sleeping
Safe and dry in your bed
Is the tempest still raging
Somewhere deep in your head
The smell hits your senses
Destroys your defenses
Reality comes flooding in
She waits in the water
She could be your daughter
If not for the flush of her skin
Oh, America
Where are you now?
Hungry eyes stare in wonder
Hungry bellies lay blame
As they watch you fly over
And they watch you fly away
Wade into poison
Step over a cousin
They’re wondering where we have been
There’s nowhere to bury
The shame and the fury
Is this how we measure the man?