Bloody Kansas

by Lazarus Nance Letcher

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about

I've been working on connecting to my ancestors through songs and stories. this is about my runaway ancestors, who crossed an invisible line on stolen land to take back their freedom. No underground railroad white savior, Black folks liberating themselves, and taking back their humanity. to see your ancestors listed as livestock one year and self sufficient farmers the next one is the inspiration I need right now. the strength, bravery, and ecstasy of making my life my own. I wrote this before DACA was repealed, and I cannot ignore the connections of the arbitrary nature of borders, the valuing of labor over lives, and the scourge of white supremacy ring true still.
Migration is beautiful, our ancestors are powerful, the world needs healing, our struggles unite us.
Nina Simone was asked what freedom means to her,
"no fear"
I pray for less fear, decolonial kinship, more love, and the power to reclaim our stories.

lyrics

Lines drawn through a stolen land
you choose
no you demand it's use
a freedom land so obtuse
but what else can we do?

Sun beating down on our backs
the sound of the whip cracks
I know there is much more
than my own liberation lack

word, it travels like fire through the fields
ears burn, they can't be healed
no more North Star long shot for you
Salvation

Hallelu Jah
Hallelu
Hallelujah
Hallelu (2x)

Sitting in my mother's lap
she weaves a secret map
we'll leave, and never will come back
where it's a sin to be Black

Sun sets we hedge our bets
our sights set to the west
it's time, and it would be a lie
to say I thought we wouldn't die

Run through the field
guns flash
it can't be real

Run faster, run faster, run faster
no god, no more master

Run faster, run faster, run faster,
our own gods, our own master

Hallelu Jah
Hallelu
Hallelujah
Hallelu (2x)

ase, ase, show me the way show me the way
ase, ase, ase to you I pray
ase, ase, show me the way
ase, ase, show me the way

harvesting my melon patch
sun dries my latest catch
and this former slave must say
my freedom is home made

credits

released September 7, 2017
words and music and sighs by me

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about

Lazarus Nance Letcher Albuquerque, New Mexico

Go to my website to find my shows and talks!

www.lazarusletcher.com/blog/shows

Laz Letcher is a Black nonbinary trans musician based on stolen land in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Laz's solo music tells the tales of their family, their people, and their joys/struggles. Laz performs around town as a solo artist and with queer indie folk band Eileen & the In-Betweens. ... more

lazarusletcher.com

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