“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.
Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government
except for all those other[s]...”
Winston Churchill (source)
“Democracy The Musical” (also a Concert Cantata for Solos and S.A.T.B. Chorus) is currently being composed and written in preparation for a competition designed to support new works that "illuminate the promise, practice, imperfection, and opportunity of democracy."
I want to emphasize that this is not a politically partisan project. As a concerned citizen, I want to encourage my fellow citizens to defend and support democracy by voting for candidates they believe will best do that. One thing I am sure of is that, no matter who is elected, anti-democracy forces will still be there doing all they can to fundamentally change our representative republic from democracy to autocracy or even theocracy. It is my goal therefore, to create a musical work that not only engages and entertains audiences but reaches deep into their emotional core with a non-partisan message that we cannot take democracy for granted, it is something that must be continually defended and supported.
On this page I will share my progress in the creative process with regular updates. I will post the in-progress script, song lyrics, and instrumental tracks as they completed and I invite you to share that progress with me. Scroll down for the latest!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
People! You have the power.
People! You have the right.
People! It’s not the time to cower.
People! It’s time to stand and fight.
Stand up, (stand up), rise up, (rise up) for
Liberty, freedom and all that you cherish and believe in.
Hear now destiny calling,
Crying out, shouting out, screaming out the warning.
Now is the time for you to speak up.
People, you have the power, you have the vision,
You have the strength that is needed.
So listen people, this is your duty, this is your mission,
This is your moment to defend your liberty.
People, your future, your dreams, your ambitions and
All that you cherish and all that’s precious to you are now in
Danger and peril if you do not defend them now.
So, rise up and stand up, and speak against the scourge of tyranny.
Now’s the time for you and me to stand up for our democracy.
If we don’t our life will be in the grip of autocracy.
So speak up now for democracy
For that is the thing that will keep us free.
Never doubt what you can do; your future’s up to you.
Power! Power to the people
For it is the people who keep us free.
Click HERE to listen to the
accompaniment for Piano, Bass & Drums.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE
We are! We are the people.
We are! We are autonomy
We are! We are all equal.
We are! We are democracy.
We are lawful, we are hopeful.
We are joyful, we are thankful.
Now, we are all singing.
Now, freedom is ringing.
Now, destiny’s gifting a mission, a vision
of unity, justice and domestic tranquility with
blessings of liberty for us and posterity.
We are! We are the people.
We are! We are autonomy
We are! We are all equal.
We are! We are democracy.
We are lawful, we are hopeful.
We are joyful, we are thankful.
We are a single nation; we have an obligation.
Now it is our right to follow light and destiny.
People! Now our time is here.
People! Have no dread or fear.
We are! We are the people.
We are! We are autonomy
We are! We are all equal.
We are! We are democracy.
We are lawful, we are hopeful.
We are joyful, we are thankful.
We have a single nation; we have an obligation.
Now it is our right to follow light and destiny.
We are! We are the people.
We are! We are autonomy
We are! We are all equal.
We are! We are democracy.
(shouted)
WE ARE!
FREEDOM
Freedom calls me; independence, liberation, democracy!
People singing, freedom ringing in defense of sweet liberty.
I’m standing for freedom, I’m standing for justice.
I’m standing for choosing, I’m standing for dignity.
The voices of tyrants still echo in the halls of liberty.
The forces of evil still linger planning for their victory.
If you want to truly be free; stand up, rise up, speak up, free up!
If you want real democracy; stand up, rise up, speak up, free up!
I’m voting for freedom, I’m voting for justice.
I’m voting for choosing, I’m voting for dignity.
Our voices, our meaning shall echo in the halls of liberty.
The songs we are singing; our music resonates in harmony.
If you want to truly be free; stand up, rise up, speak up, free up!
If you want real democracy; stand up, rise up, speak up, free up!
Freedom calls me; independence, liberation, democracy!
People singing, freedom ringing in defense of sweet liberty.
Freedom, freedom; now is the time in need my
Freedom, freedom; now is the time in need my
Freedom, freedom; now is the time in need my
Freedom, freedom!
IT’S MY BODY
It’s my body, it’s my choice!
It’s my future, it’s my voice!
My body is my own, my bodily integrity.
My choices are well known, my personal autonomy.
We women must stand together in our fight.
Defending our basic human right.
We’re all of your mothers; we’re all of your grandmothers.
We’re all of your daughters, your sisters, your nieces.
We’re all of us singing together in harmony.
We’re all of us speaking up for freedom and justice.
Now! Destiny is calling out to all of us and our posterity.
Now! It’s our right to make our choice and to be free.
My body is my own, my bodily integrity.
My choices are well known, my personal autonomy.
We women must stand together in our fight.
Defending our basic human right.
We know what our truth is, we know what our body needs.
We know what our dreams and ambitions and hopes are.
We know what is best for our future and family.
We know what is right for us to make our choices.
It’s my body, it’s my choice!
It’s my future, it’s my voice!