about
Merriam-Webster defines a requiem as “a mass for the dead; a solemn chant for the repose of the dead; a musical setting of the mass for the dead.” Here, this is such a remembrance - written in the aftermath of senseless, racist violence that claimed the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, while holding space for so many others. It is equal measures soft libation to be poured out and angry call for action and work. It is one small, heart-broken voice.
lyrics
If you’re scared to wear the badge
Maybe you shouldn’t
If you’re a coward with a gun
Maybe you shouldn’t have one
If you ain’t tryna be a servant
Risk it all to protect us all
Maybe you shouldn’t fuckin be one
Maybe no one should be a cop at all
Defund, abolish
Knee to the back,
Foot on the neck,
Holding the weight of the world
Onto just one man
He’s just a man
Are you even?
Knee to the back,
Foot on the neck,
Holding the weight of the world
Onto just one man
Just a man
Are you even?
How we gettin justice?
How we getting peace?
Open up your ears and your eyes, please
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
Can you hear the cries and the truth?
Try listening
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace
1 + 1 is 2 and that’s simple math
One followed by another
Day after day
Week after week
Month after month
Year after year
Doesn’t change
It’s not one time
It’s not one time
It’s not one time
One time would be enough for your child
One time would be enough for your child
One time is already too many
All I wanna know is
How are we gonna avenge Floyd?
Justice for Big Floyd, Breonna, Ahmaud….
How we gettin justice?
How we getting peace?
Open up your ears and your eyes, please
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
Can you hear the cries and the truth?
Try listening
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace that’s the simple thing
No justice, no peace
Can you put one and two together
And see how the absence of justice
Erodes the necessary conditions
For peace, for prosperity, for happiness, for joy, for humanity?
Can you see the humanity in other people?
One time would be enough for your child
One time is already too many
credits
released March 8, 2021
MicheleQJ- Vocals, Keyboards, Programming
David J. Yu- Guitars, Production, Programming
Raleigh Booze- Bass
Eric Smelser- Vocals
Mixed & Mastered by Ben Rosenbach
Lyrics by MicheleQJ
Music by MicheleQJ & David J. Yu
Photograph by MicheleQJ
license
all rights reserved
