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For An American Life

from For An American Life by Eric Douglas

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lyrics

Stand up, put your hand on your heart
Your protests are tearing this country apart
But don’t you listen to what they say
Rise up, put your fist in the air
They’ll try to silence you with fear
You’re not going to walk away

Out of the darkness, into the light
This is our American fight
For an American life

Don’t let them see you holding hands
A man can’t love another man
But don’t you listen to what they say
Paint the crosswalk, show your pride
They’ll cover it back up with white
You’re not going to walk away

Out of the darkness, into the light
This is our American fight
For an American life

The Westboro church, the KKK
How do they still exist today
Internment camps, the Trail of Tears
Will it take another 250 years

He calls you sweetheart, but he still uses force
He builds up your trust while he closes the door
You might as well be a Barbie doll
You’re speaking out now, you’ve had enough
They’ll try and tell you that you’re not that tough
As one by one the powerful rich men fall

You’re minding your business, they’ll tell you to stop
You’re looking suspicious, they might call the cops
But don’t you listen to what they say
They might arrest you for just being black
Tell them you matter, and keep fighting back
You’re not going to walk away

Out of the darkness, into the light
This is our American fight
For an American life

Somebody’s daughter, somebody’s son
The next kid to stare down the end of a gun
What will it take for this madness to end
The next generation is raising their hand
Some say they’re too young to understand
But the times are a-changing once again

A victim of cancer lies in his grave
Insurance ran out and he just couldn’t pay
His family knew it was a matter of time
Most other countries don’t play this joke
Getting sick shouldn’t mean going broke
But the man at the top still has to make his dime

Out of the darkness, into the light
This is our American fight
For an American life

There’s lead in the water in Michigan
And the power’s out in San Juan again
Poor people tied to the whipping post
Aren’t we supposed to take care of the ones who need it the most

There’s a girl in a classroom, but her desk is bare
There’s not enough books, so the kids have to share
While teachers get stretched thinner and thinner each day
Go tell the Governor, take to the streets
Let him know he’s at risk of losing his seat
You’re not going to walk away

There’s a man on the corner, he could use some support
He’s been looking for shelter, and coming up short
He’s been forgotten and left behind
He fought for his country, now he’s come back home
But a hero’s welcome don’t last too long
Down at the VA they’re still waiting in line

Out of the darkness, into the light
This is our American fight
For an American life

credits

from For An American Life, released October 16, 2019

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Eric Douglas Phoenix, Arizona

ERIC DOUGLAS is an Arizona singer/songwriter who combines contemporary folk, classic rock, and Texas country to tell stories of people finding their place in the world...for better or worse.

Eric paints an American landscape, with songs from the Southwestern desert, the Great Plains, and the open road.​ ... more

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