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Helen Keller, Revisited

from Live in Houston by David Rovics

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When Helen Keller was only known for having overcome massive challenges in childhood mainly having to do with not being able to see or hear, she was famous and widely beloved. When she became an adult and became a radical, she was widely vilified, often in the most disgustingly paternalistic manner. Let us remember the real Helen Keller. This is the first appearance of this song on an album.

lyrics

Give to me a moment, I'll tell you of a woman
Who was a heroine of mine
It's half a century since she's gone
But her vision and her light still shines
She was born in 1880 and she spent her life
Speaking out against injustices she saw
Traveling and writing and supporting tactics
Both within and far outside the law

Give to me a moment, I'll tell you of a member
Of the Industrial Workers of the World
Who responded to the critics who said she was a stooge
For waving her red flag unfurled
By saying how could she do otherwise and still call herself a feminist
Or did they believe that women got a pass
That women were not workers, subject to the bosses
Just like every other member of their class

Give to me a moment, I'll tell you of a comrade
A celebrity, a thinker and a fighter
Her weapons were her words and she used them as an expert
As a touring speaker, as a writer
When workers were on strike she beseeched the public
To come out and support the union's stand
She said there could be no future except in solidarity
Every race, ability and gender hand in hand

Give to me a moment, I'll tell you of a citizen
Who spoke up against Wilson's war
Who said it's best to go to prison than to go kill other people
To settle some imperial score
Without this voice of reason, this servant of the people
The world surely wouldn't be the same
So here's to a fearless warrior who could neither hear nor see
Fellow Worker Helen Keller was her name

Give to me a moment, I'll tell you of a woman
Who was a heroine of mine

credits

from Live in Houston, released April 13, 2018

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David Rovics Portland, Oregon

Singer/songwriter, writer, podcaster (on Spotify, Substack & Patreon), anarchist, dad, lover of life.

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