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I Can't Breathe

from The Other Side by David Rovics

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Matthew Baya
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    This CD features Billy Oskay on violin. Songs include "I Can't Breathe," "Denmark, 1943" and "They All Sang the Internationale."

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about

For Eric Garner and everyone else who wakes up in the morning knowing they're at a much greater risk of being harassed and/or killed by the police because of the color of their skin.

lyrics

Wake up in the morning, nowhere you can hide
Just another suspect as soon as you go outside
Just another suspect, one more man to fear
Best be deferential if an officer is near
Best be deferential, best wear a three-piece suit
Or find the wrong end of a truncheon or a combat boot
The wrong end of a truncheon or the barrel of a gun
Each day could be your last and final one

I can't breathe
I can't breathe

Wake up in the morning, try to make the rent
If you can't hustle up some money you'll be living in a tent
If you can't hustle up some money or get paid a living wage
The kids will be evicted and they'll put you in a cage
The kids will be evicted, living in the street
In line outside the mission to get some soup and bread to eat
In line outside the mission or just hope for the best
Go out and sell some loosies, feel your heart beat in your chest

Chorus

Wake up in the morning, get up and roll the dice
Try not to look suspicious, hope they think you look nice
Try not to look suspicious, try not to raise alarm
If you want to see your family, don't want them to come to harm
If you want to see your family, you want to live another day
Watch out for the cops, hope they go away
Watch out for the cops or you'll be taking your last breath
The next one that you see might just choke you to death

Chorus

Wake up in the morning

credits

from The Other Side, released August 31, 2015

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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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