FAWM: "Not Going Anywhere"

Not Going Anywhere

NSFW Skirmish: Everything is constantly ... (@robinleaf)

Liner Notes

#folk #singersongwriter #anthem #protest #acousticonetake

Whoooo, got the skirmish done with 5 minutes to spare! I was thinking about the prompt "Everything is constantly changing," and couldn't help thinking about the relentless onslaught of information, misinformation, repeals, and executive orders coming from the White House in the last two weeks.

I polled my facebook community on what kind of protest songs they wish existed, and somebody said they wanted something sing-alongable that could be played without an instrument. I'm not quite at the acapella protest songwriting stage, but I think this one is minimal enough that it could be screamed at a rebel gathering if one so chose. ;)

Also, man, I'm so ready to be over this cough. Sick of not being able to sing the melodies properly, ha! Forgive the shrieking in the bridge.

Lyrics

I know you’re stuck in the cycle
It’s always fawn or freeze or fight
Him and all his disciples
Suffocating every light
But we don’t gotta live like this
Don’t take it lying down, down, down

When they go low, we go shooting through the atmosphere
Above the stormclouds and the shame
They don’t know we’re all stronger than what got us here
We’ve been tested through the flames

So we rebel against the ones who try to
Shut us down and keep us silent
We will not accept the violence
Against our own

I know you’re overwhelmed
That’s the name of the goddamn game
These executive orders, closing the borders, scapegoating who to blame
But we don’t gotta live like this
Don’t let it weigh you down, down, down

When they go low, we go shooting through the atmosphere
Above the stormclouds and the shame
They don’t know we’re all stronger than what got us here
We’ve been tested through the flames

So we rebel against the ones who try to
Shut us down and keep us silent
We will not accept the violence
Against our own

We’re not going anywhere
We’re not going anywhere
47 should be running scared

We’re not going anywhere
We’re not going anywhere
We have fight and courage enough to spare

We’re not going anywhere
We’re not going anywhere
Until there’s liberty for all to share

When they go low, we go shooting through the atmosphere
Above the stormclouds and the shame
They don’t know we’re all stronger than what got us here
We’ve been tested through the flames

So we rebel against the ones who try to
Shut us down and keep us silent
We will not accept the violence
Against our own

We're not going anywhere
We're not going anywhere
We have fight and courage enough to spare
We're not going anywhere

Comments

@rxzzo 1w

You have such a nice voice! The guitar and your voice compliment each other well!

@willyviste 2w

Your writing and singing is immaculate. Your voice is very impressing, great performance🔥

@tawny249 2w

Thank you. This is strong and hopeful and I needed this. It's praiseworthy enough as is, and will be doubly so once your voice is 100%. But honestly the fact that you sang this when you're a little growly probably added to the emotion. A determined, beautiful tune, singable and proud.

@audreyrussell 2w

This is so impressive! The lyrics are really good - especially in a skirmish!! And your voice is strong and solid, cough be damned! Wish I could write this well this quickly - my forehead touches the floor. Well done!

@katannette 2w

This is fantastic - not in denial, but unifying and encouraging. So good, especially for a skirmish. 👏

@atam94 2w

Oh my gosh, "we've been tested through the flames" is such a standout lyric to me. So nicely done, such a good protest song.

@berni1954 2w

Fabulous “protest” song. Any intelligent caring person today in the US must feel like decent Germans did seing the rise to power of the Nazis in 1933. The religious right, who largely put him there, are as far from Jesus’ teaching as it is possible to be. Thanks for keeping the beacon of hope burning with this song.

@daveescoffery 2w

Wow! You were aiming for a singalong anthem, and you nailed it. I love the sparse guitar, and that chorus is fantastic. Great lyrics, too. Nice! I'm ready to buy your protest album.

@jeremykazoo 2w

Ok clearly day 3 is when FAWM hits its stride. This is the third song in a row I'm ready to add to my daily driver playlist right now.

Love the vibe, the message and your voice is fantastic!

@racheleve 2w

This is so damn good and feels cathartic to sing along to. Well done!!

@scruffyblues 2w

Powerful and passionate with a great delivery. It's such a brilliantly full write and you still had time to spare!!! I'm in awe, sooooo gooood!!!!

@rosieposy8 2w

Im in the Uk so I watch in horror and disbelief from far away.
This is great and hummable and the lyrics are great. I particularly like the when they go low bit. It's rousing and effecrtive and catchy and obv you sing it with great conviction and passion. Nailed it.

@itoarazi 2w

Brilliant protest song!! So much lyrical gold here.

@hmstreetteam 2w

Timely collective statement with a strong personality, more nimble than an anthem could be, but definitely with lines that lend themselves to large group singing. Nicely done.

@hummingbear 2w

So well crafted in such a short time! Yes to new and singable protest songs.

Best wishes for getting over the lingering cough.

@alyxanderjames 2w

Oooo, so many good lines in here! "When they go low, we go shooting through the atmosphere / Above the stormclouds and the shame" is a particular favorite. This is excellent! (Sorry that cough is still hanging on! There are a few people in my life dealing with the same, it's really stubborn.)