Micah’s World (Kids) Album:

Sandbox Fairy
When We Cooperate
Remember the Sun Returns
Keys
Ouchies
Birthday Bonfire
Into the Woods
Frog Hunt
Just Jump
Rooted

Singles:

Debut Album:

1. Reach for the Sun
2. Impatience
3. Leave It!
4. Vou Embora
5. Camilo
6. Stone Soup
7. More Than One Song
8. Seeds from Fire
9. Detenciones No Más (No More Detentions)
10. Fight Right Now / La Co-op
11. One Last Tear
12. Red & Black
13. Anglo Imperialism
14. For Real
15. Je M’en Vais
16. Floating Heart
17. Dew or Rain
18. Solid Economy
19. 21st Century Romance
Bonus Tracks:
1. No Limit Listen to / download the WAV version here (33mb):

| Or the MP3 version here (3mb)

2. To Be Listen to / download the MP3 (2.9mb) here:

1. Sandbox Fairy

Hello, I’m the sandbox fairy
And maybe I’m a little hairy
And maybe I’m really tall
Or maybe I’m so small

What I do is find your lost toy
The one that gave you most joy
I take my fairy shaped hand
And bury it in the sand

Then I cover it over again
So in nine days or maybe ten
Yep, just what you’ve been wishing
You’ll find what you’ve been missing

Hello, I’m the sandbox fairy
And maybe I’m a little hairy
And maybe I’m really tall
Or maybe I’m so small

I keep track on a grid
Which sand for which kid
Blake’s toy is usually bound
For the back left corner of the park playground

Leslie’s not very hard
There’s a box in the backyard
Kai, it says on my papers
Will find it right at the neighbors

Hello, I’m the sandbox fairy
And maybe I’m a little hairy
And maybe I’m really tall
Or maybe I’m so small

There may be too many rules
But I bury some at your schools
I move fast as a fox
From sandbox to sandbox

And to nature’s biggest sandlot
I have frequently brought
The lost toy for each
Kid who frequents the beach

Hello, I’m the sandbox fairy
And maybe I’m a little hairy
And maybe I’m really tall
Or maybe I’m so small

Oh, you just dug up your toy?
Great, I hope you enjoy!
If you’re just a little courageous
That joy can be quite contagious

Meaning spread the love my friend
With you make sure it won’t end
Don’t thank me, so long
Just pass the favor along

2. When We Cooperate

The big digger digs and dumps
The big digger digs and dumps
The big digger digs and dumps
But it can’t move the dirt
Without the dump truck

Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
When we cooperate?

The dump truck dumps the dirt
The dump truck dumps the dirt
The dump truck dumps the dirt
But it can’t flatten it
Without the bulldozer

Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
When we cooperate?

The bulldozer pushes dirt
The bulldozer pushes dirt
The bulldozer pushes dirt
But it can’t get the dirt
Without the digger

Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
Hey, isn’t it great
When we cooperate?

Trucks don’t go it alone
Chimps don’t go it alone
Bees don’t go it alone

You don’t need to go it alone
You’ve got us

3. Remember the Sun Returns

You fell off your bike in the rain
Grrrrr!
Now you feel that fear and pain
Grrrrr!
You get back on the seat
You’re a better rider, sweet!

The fog of yucky feelings
Soon will go away
Remember that the sun
Returns to light your day

You knock over block towers you had
Grrrrr!
Now you feel frustrated and sad
Grrrrr!
But you get to build them back up again
Sturdier than when you began

The fog of yucky feelings
Soon will go away
Remember that the sun
Returns to light your day

You lost the game, once again you were mated
Grrrrr!
Now you’re mad and irritated
Grrrrr!
But studying the chess board proves
You can learn your playmate’s moves

The fog of yucky feelings
Soon will go away
Remember that the sun
Returns to light your day

You spill the cereal with which you were entrusted
Grrrrr!
Now disappointed and disgusted
Grrrrr!
But the dog’s treat she is adoring
And you get to practice pouring

The fog of yucky feelings
Soon will go away
Remember that the sun
Returns to light your day

4. Keys

Micah’s keys
Opens everything he sees
There’s no locking him in
There’s no stopping him

Keys for the greedy
Just lock out the needy
Put people in cages
When they oughta raise wages

They jingle jangle
They click and beep
When we share the keys
We all get free

But with Micah and friends
All the greed ends
They’ll change the game
Spark more of the same

Something so small
Opens something so tall
Justice is the plan
Each a key in our hand

They jingle jangle
They click and beep
When we share the keys
We all get free

Now we all have keys
And we’ll use these
To startup up the good
For our livelihood

Micah looks at his keys
It’s not magic he sees
Power comes from within
And from all who join in

They jingle jangle
They click and beep
When we share the keys
We all get free

5. Ouchies

Everything’s fine
Until it’s not
I scraped my knee
First it felt hot

Then it tingled a bit
But when the scare went away
Pain on the inside
I have an ouchie I say

Ouchies hurt
Oh yes they do
But if no hospital’s needed
It’ll be all better soon

What can we do
When the pain keeps on tugging
Kisses from Daddy
Or maybe just hugging

Yes you can wash it
It stings with those wipes
But better all clean
Than germs of all types

Ouchies hurt
Oh yes they do
But clean it up well
It’ll be all better soon

It’s still bleeding a little
But really not bad
Yes please to the bandaid
Now I feel kind of sad

Ouchies are scary
I can cry if I wanna
I can ask for a hug
I can ask for my mama

Ouchies hurt
Oh yes they do
A hug and a bandaid
It’ll be all better soon

Don’t ignore me daddy
Don’t tell me to be tough
My feelings are mine
And they’re just enough

Each family has methods
Sana sana is ours
Plant medicine yours
As many as the stars

Ouchies hurt
Oh yes they do
Try some arnica gel
It’ll be all better soon

6. Birthday Bonfire

Listen to the crackles
A little smoke in your eyes
Listen to the songs
Our elders [ancestors] are wise

A friend’s arm around your shoulder
Their trust it does inspire
Feel the cold bench
And the warmth of the fire

It’s time for the birthday bonfire
It’s time for the birthday bonfire

A little more singing
A lot more humming
It’s time for the marshmallows
I knew they were coming

Thank you to the parents
Great care and great tastes
Thank you to the trees
Your wood we will not waste

It’s time for the birthday bonfire
It’s time for the birthday bonfire

Please share your passion
That fire deep inside
Mine is for justice
Something I just can’t hide

Poke it, feed it
Glowing red like mars
Flickering lit faces
Below the stars

It’s time for the birthday bonfire
It’s time for the birthday bonfire
It’s time for the birthday bonfire
It’s time for the birthday bonfire

7. Into the Woods

Off the screens and into the woods
Nature brings magic like no phone app could

Forts and fireflies, frogs and fresh air
Caves and cucumbers, cattails no cares
Leaves and leaping, look under logs
Worms and wonderlands, wet waterdogs

Off the screens and into the woods
Nature brings magic like no phone app could

Birds and bonfires, bamboo and birch bark
Petals and plucking, picnics in the park
Sticks and snowballs, singing from swings
Rocks and relaxing, reed grass wrapped rings

Off the screens and into the woods
Nature brings magic like no phone app could

Into the woods
Into the woods

Dew and dandelions, dancing in dirt
Shimmering stars, strawb’rry stained shirt
Trails and tree forts, lose track of time
Canoes and cocoons, cliffs you can climb

Off the screens and into the woods
Nature brings magic like no phone app could

8. Frog Hunt

Spring is here
Peepers are peeping
Bullfrogs are croaking
Water is warming

We head to the pond
With our nets in hand
Bathings suits on
Run down to the sand

We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT
We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT

Hey shhh wait
Try not to scare them
Got two in the net
Now time to share them

Leopard frog
The one that has stripes
Yellow bellied
Bullfrog with pipes

We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT
We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT

Gotta be sneaky
Wade through the muck
Here it gets deeper
Try not to get stuck

Be sure not to hurt them
Take a good look
It’s catch and release
Back to the brook

We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT
We’re going on a frog… FROG HUNT

9. Just Jump

Climb up the ladder
Walk on the deck
Up to the edge
Just jump, what the heck

Splash goes the water
Mouth closed eyes wide
Grab daddy’s hands
Repeat, see his pride

Now up on the block
Take a hand just in case
Nothing is better
Than the joy on your face

After head-turning jumps
A new challenge you say
Throwing keys to the bottom
Underwater grab play

Of caution a trickle
But of bravery a full dump
When you head to the pool
And decide to just jump

10. Rooted

Your joy slices its way right through the brambles
Onto the boat, tippy no handles
Wind tries to trick you but each time it fails
Inner equilibrium prevails

Sometimes with a whisper, sometimes with a shout
Climb up to the spot where you can look out
See beauty, yes, but see injustice too
When you get there you’ll know just what to do

Your actions result, your actions inspire
Add your long burning logs to that long burning fire
The weight of the world rests not just on your shoulders
But the part you do carry makes you stronger and bolder

Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid
Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid

Mud is on the way there and it’s on the way back
Stuck to the treads, but not stuck to your tracks
Harness the passions that shift and grow
When it feels right to share, create then you’ll know

Stay rooted in nature’s gentle refresh
Connected to those who nourish your best
Choose big mountains, big lakes, big views, big change
Until new is not new and strange is not strange

Don’t forget to give time to heal
Time to laugh, time to feel
My love flutters right there, you say when it lands
Reach for your tools, but reach for the hands

Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid
Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid
Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid
Rooted, connected, resilient, intrepid

SINGLES:

1. Standing Rock

It’s not the company’s land, papers say what they will
Not the government’s land, from their courts on the hill
After trying their channels, she kept her head up
Time for feet over line and never give up

She took a stand
She will now stand
She will still stand
Steadfast as a rock

Sludge from tar sands they try to bring down
Poisonous lies into the rock they shove down
But water protectors together rise up
Land defenders blockade and stand up

They took a stand
They will now stand
They will still stand
Steadfast as a rock

White Bundys walk free, Sioux face police
And millions for new guns, dogs are unleashed
No more land of the fees In the home of the braves
Solidarity rings like echoing waves

We took a stand
We will now stand
We will still stand
Steadfast as a rock

Steadfast as a rock

We took a stand
We will now stand
We will still stand
Steadfast as a rock

2. Carbon Capture for the Rapture

Hello we’re Oxy,
Or to you Occidental Oil
For a hundred years we’ve been taking
Oil from the soil

We’ve got the most advanced
Now check this terminology
Underground capture and storage
Technology – no apology

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

You remember us
Hallelujah
We’ve crushed tribes that resist
Like the U’wa, now do ya?

Sure we’re wreaking havoc in Peru
And pretty much everywhere
Small price to pay
To put our dirty underwear down under there

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

You know us, you trust us
And will forever
So of course we should lead
This endeavor, ain’t it clever

We’ll grab and store carbon
From the atmosphere we’re filling
We’ll save the day,
Make a killing and keep drilling

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

Sure, companies like us
And our pocket politicians I guess
Have caused a good portion
Of this mess, I must confess

But we’ve found a way
To pull black gold from the air
Make oil and profit big
It ain’t fair, but we don’t care

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

We’ll even replenish oil reserves
Down with the dinosaurs
Time for new underground
Carbon stores, and foreign wars

You’re hooked to our rigs
You know you’ve loved us
Let’s keep drilling
And trust us, and just us

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

Oh you “keep-it-in-the-soil”
Folks for you I do pray
Keep trying to protest
Get in our way, or have a say

We’ll pull out the stops – check it-
For this one even Jesus is impressed
Make you the bad guys
Criminalize protest, done, suppressed

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

And our friends big greens
Yep the ones who get our grants
Will help us with our image
Wash our hands with green plans

By now you know you can’t beat us
By looting or suing
So join us and ignore the
Carbon spewing we’re still doing

Carbon capture for the rapture
Carbon capture for the rapture

3. Embrace Change

Change is coming
Like it or not
It can surprise you
And tie you in knots

Or you can embrace it
Catch waves before they break
Open your heart
New destinations awake

Prepare for change
Welcome change
Grieve with change
Embrace change

Love will shift
Sometimes go deeper
Often splinter
Or take a big detour

Friendships dip
Or can quickly dive
But through hardest times
Strong bonds survive

Prepare for change
Welcome change
Grieve with change
Embrace change

A loved one’s death
Feels untraversable
Life now drags through
Loss irreversible

Respect the unpredictable
Rhythm of grief’s ride
Be open to the feelings
But don’t marinate inside

Prepare for change
Welcome change
Grieve with change
Embrace change

Try to be present
Let past loosen its grip
Dwell not in the future
Just brace for the trip

Name the feeling of fear
Look what’s beneath it
Break it down further
You’re ready to face it

Prepare for change
Welcome change
Grieve with change
Embrace change

Societal change bends
Toward justice eventually
But for power to cede
Pressure exponentially

Lean in to the change
Causing your frustration
Look under for patterns
Needing liberation

Prepare for change
Welcome change
Grieve with change
Embrace change

4. Parenting

So I’ve written a lot of songs about what it might be like to be a kid
The little I remember and the lot I observe as I’ve parented
Now you get to hear, kids, what it’s like to be a parent, see
It’s the best and in some ways the toughest job there can be

First, little babies’ bodies are made for nap and wake and nap and wake
Parents, not so much, our brains turn into mushy, mushy sponge cakes
But we survive since you’re so darn cute, even with drool and spit up
The first smiles are precious and delicious and next thing we know you can sit up

Then parents don’t agree on how to do everything, I don’t do anything right
The bottle’s too hot, the blanket’s too cold and the diaper’s not tight
Book time and song time are cuddly fun and great, don’t get me wrong
But over and over and over and over again really, that song?

There’s nothing like a napping itty bitty kid on your shoulder
As I drift off too, I can feel you getting older

Soon you can talk, and oh my gosh what a relief
I know what you want when you want it, but good grief
The whining tone, you honed to perfection
And for finding the get-under-my-skin tone, you have impeccable detection

Really, most of parenting’s great, I guess this is just my time to complain
And take a step back and attempt to explain
We’re trying our best, even when we lose patience
As parents we’re still learning all the many gradations

Just when we know you, you change and have different needs
We try to keep up and support you like sprouting seeds
Each new leaf is amazing, small accomplishments we feel so deep
And when you’re just a little bit older, we relish the sleep

But the challenges I listed are washed away with a drop
Of pride for who you now are, and who you will be, so don’t stop
Being you, fully you, not me and not them
Your unique being is complex and perfect and just a gem

5. Protests Are So Fun

I get to walk in the street with the people
Banging on a homemade drum
Hold my bright sign really high
Protests are so fun

Look at the stilts that they’re wearing
Now the singing has begun
I can learn those loud chants too
Protests are so fun

Mommy lets go to another rally
None tomorrow, let’s organize one
Me and my friends we’ve been practicing our drumming
Protests are so fun

I used to ride in the stroller
Shake the egg under the sun
Now I dance with the big brass band
Protests are so fun

Tia explained why we protest
If we hadn’t’ve fought we wouldn’t’ve won
I like to be on the good guys side
Protests are so fun

Mommy lets go to another rally
None tomorrow, let’s organize one
Me and my friends we’ve been practicing our drumming
Protests are so fun

If its raining, let’s bring my umbrella
I’ll paint it, show ’em what I’ve done
Even when it’s cold and wet outside
Protests are so fun

When I’m older I’ll go to the red zone
And be ready when the teargas comes
I can wear my favorite bandana
Protests are so fun

Mommy lets go to another rally
None tomorrow, let’s organize one
Me and my friends we’ve been practicing our drumming
Protests are so fun

6. Protests Are So Dumb

I have to walk in the heat with smelly people
Can’t believe you call this bucket a drum
I want to eat there not just pee in McDonalds
Protests are so dumb

Can’t watch youtube while marching
Cover your ears the folk signer’s begun
“What do we want?!” I yell “silence”
Protests are so dumb

Mommy don’t drag me to another darn rally
I’ve already been to one
Me and my friends we’ve got new Xbox games coming
Protests are so dumb

At least let me ride in the stroller
And put the cover up for the sun
I know my weight is five times the limit
But protests are so dumb

I really don’t know why we protest
Capitalists have already won
I’ll stay clueless and wait inside
Protests are so dumb

Mommy don’t drag me to another darn rally
I’ve already been to one
Me and my friends we’ve got new Xbox games coming
Protests are so dumb

7. Beer Cheer

We’ve got…
A Rye you’ll want to try
A Double that is trouble
A Lager for the jogger
But the IPA’s here to stay

This gose’s a bulldozer
This Pale Ale was on sale
This Lambic ain’t Icelandic
But this IPA’s here to stay

We’ve got…
A Porter from the border
A Gueuze that you can’t lose
A Wit with some grit
But the IPA’s here to stay

For this…
Saison put your shades on
This Bock will make you talk
This Stout will make you shout
But this IPA’s here to stay

We’ve got a
A Sour with some power
A Bitter, you’re a kidder
A Cream that’s a dream
But the IPA’s here to stay

This Hefe…
Weizen’s big as a bison
This Pilsner’s for the sizzler
This Quad is no fraud
But this IPA’s here to stay
But this IPA’s here to stay
But this IPA’s here to stay

DEBUT ALBUM:

1. Reach for the Sun

Inspired by a combination of experiences in dozens of social movements, most recently in the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice. FutureFocusMedia.org
Song / Guitar / Clarinet: Matt Feinstein

Is this what it feels like to win?

One hundred thousand in the streets
We sing along to bucket drum beats
When tear gas comes the vinegar’s shared
We hold our banners in the air

Our voices loud, our messages clear
Those in power have something to fear
But when the day is said and done
How do we know that we’ve, how do we know that we’ve won?

Is this what it feels like to win?

Sometimes we seem so small and weak
Then the young people step up and speak
Our fight has struck a chord or two
We pledge to see the whole thing through

Traction’s gained, two steps ahead
Our hunger for justice begins to be fed
We got to the moon, now we reach for the sun
How do we know that we’ve, how do we know that we’ve won?

Is this what it feels like to win?

This is what it feels like to win!

Drop D tuning
Gm (barred) Cm (barred)
Gm Cm A7 Gm

2. Impatience

The challenge is to both have no patience with injustice and exploitative insurance companies but simultaneously learn patience for the long road towards liberation. 5 years of working every day to rebuild Stone Soup tought me a little something about this. http://StoneSoupWorcester.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein
Speaker: Asa Needle

Impatience is a virtue A – – –

If used to shake injustice D – E –

Patience is a value A – – D

We build up over time E – – A

We made it through the fire A – D A

We paid ten times with time A – E A

We fought for what they owed us A – D A

They thought we’d take the dime A – E A

They may have top floor offices

They wait, time’s on their side

Laws written by and for them

Power smitten and full of pride

Chorus

Temp us to take the easy road

Patch a truss and just move on

But we’re rooted deep in principles

If they’re polluted, all is gone

We pledge to stick together

Each wedge we can defend

Too solid to divide us

We’re all in ’till the end

3. Leave It!

Beyond coal, hydraulic fracking, tar sands and for people power and life. Performed live at the November 2012 premier of the documentary Agrofuels: Starving People, Fueling Greed in Worcester, MA.

http://ciclovida.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Am – C Am / Am – Em Am /

Am – – – / C Em E7 Am /

Ch: |: Am – – – / Am E – Am / : |

B: F G C Am / G Em Csus Am /

Takin’ it back to the coal miners

Worked to the bone, last no more than thirty-one

Now and then we see the whole valley

Wiped out with a slurry, bosses cover it up in a hurry

Burn it up and the air is filthy

Try not to breath it in, but half a million won’t breath again

Clean coal from the mouth of the liar

He sweeps it under the rug, can’t climb out of the hole he dug

Leave the coal in the hole

The gas stock in the rock

The oil in the soil

And the tar sand in the land

Black gold makes the man go crazy

Occupy, drill, then let the oil tanker spill

Making billions of the carbon pollution

Exxon, shell, BP, my credits I’ll trade and buy back from me

Then pay off the politicians

Tax cuts, subsidies, pockets of richest companies

Go to war for control and oil

Prop up our regime, cheap barrels of american dream

Chorus

Watch out for the tricks of the salesman

Cash knocks on your door, a long-term mess is what’s in store

What a crazy fracking idea

Drill deep in the rock, speeding up the climate’s clock

Fairytales of safe hydro fracking

Toxic sludge catheter, spills into the aquifer

Then light tap water on fire

‘Cause once you frack, there ain’t no way you’re going back

B1: Drilling, fracking, spilling, killing F G C Am / G Em Csus Am /

Open pits of death and destruction

Want climate change earliest, try tar sands the dirtiest

Is it worth our forests and rivers?

Dig your mess into the truck, corporate fools have run amok

Keystone XL pipeline

A fat cat kind of theft, land grabs to the right and left

Yes we can stop the pipeline

People rose to show, pipeline “no” tar sands “no”

B2: Drilling, piping, spilling, killing F G C Am / G Em Csus Am /

All power to all the people

Find out where they crack, open it up and take it back

New ways to get around the city

Veg oil waste for us, we walk and bike and ride the bus

Look up to sun for power

We can make the channels, to own our own collective panels

Build from earth and straw and plaster

Autonomous villages, above the grid that pillages

B3: Dancing, farming, singing, living F G C Am / G Em Csus Amajor /

4. Vou Embora

How do we really get out of this system collectively, taking down oppression on the way out, and not just fighting in a way that strengthens their grip on us?
http://Ciclovida.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein
Speakers: Ivânia Cavalcante de Alencar, Manoel Inácio Nascimento and a Zapatista.

Intro: E – / A – / E – / B7 –

Pedalamos mais forte E –

Cadê o chão A –

Nadamos em frente E –

Contracorrente A – / / E / /

Usar as ferramentas

Do patrão

E depender por centos

Centenas de anos

Vou embora E – / A – / E – / A –

Vamos embora

Vou embora

Vamos embora

Vou embora E – /

Deste sistema A – / / B7 –

Cair da rede

Da um medão

E isso impede

Agradecer o chão

Sozinho não pode

Na isolação

So nas comunidades

Com a revolução

Ch / Br:

Na saída, vamos desmantelando

Na saída, desmontando racismo

Na saída, desmontando classismo

Na saída, desconstruindo sexismo

Vamos embora pessoal

5. Camilo

A true story of a kid who did not fit into compulsory school in rural Brazil.

http://ciclovida.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

C – F C / F – G C / chorus: F – G C / F – C – / F – G C / F G C – /

This true story’s about my friend Camilo

Only 10 years old, but boy all that he knows

In Northern Brazil home schooling is illegal

They said he had to go to school where they make numbers out of people

Up to that point in his life he had a libertory education

His parents fostered his creativity and imagination

But the city brought him to the classroom, an authoritarian situation

Where they taught him about coercion and creation

For an activity one day he was given a piece of paper

They said “Draw an Easter egg and put all you want inside her”

Camilo said, “Sorry, I don’t believe in your Easter”

He called their eggs classist and they called him a trouble-maker

Chorus: He said, “I won’t draw your eggs today

I won’t draw your egg today

‘Cause I’m resisting your compulsory school of yesterday

Yes, I won’t draw your egg today.”

The teacher pulled him aside and said you’d better listen to me Camilo

You may be named after a revolutionary, but you’ve got to listen to me now

So, draw that egg and I’ll be back in a half an hour

He though, have they left me no more choices, have they taken all my power?

And he thought for a really long time about the freedom of his educational experience back in the worker-occupied farm – back in the village where he had the individual attention of his parents, the woods, the farm, the lake – where he had a say in how he spent his day, now stuck in an institution that did not challenge him nor teach him of his indigenous ancestors’ history… but looking down at the blank sheet of paper he knew he had to draw something, so he told himself…

Well, I’ll draw that egg, but I draw it my way

I’ll draw myself, the egg, and what I think about this stupid holiday

And when the teacher came back to see if he had drawn it [gasp]

She saw a big crushed egg and little boy pissing on it

And he said, “I will piss on your egg today

I will, I’ll piss on your egg today

‘Cause I’m resisting your school system of yesterday

Yes, I’ll piss on your egg today

Well, the teacher pulled him in front of the classroom, full peer humiliation

They laughed in his face and said “you’re bound for damnation”

Camilo, then, retracted his resistance

He was saving up his strength and persistence

But I can see the day when Camilo’s reached his limit

I can see the movement now with one million Camilos in it

They’ve had enough of this authoritarian system

They’ve risen up and for the rest of their lives, they’re resisting

And they’re saying “We’ll link up and build free schools today

We’ll link up and build free schools today

‘Cause we’re resisting your whole school system of yesterday

Yes, we’ll link up and build free schools today

6. Stone Soup

After decades of activists and artists in Worcester losing their spaces to greedy landlords, precarious rental situations, and gentrification, a collective came together to establish a permanent space for organizing. Stone Soup is a movement building space in Worcester, MA where over a dozen grassroots groups share space, cross pollinate, and work together for social justice.
http://stonesoupworcester.org

Song and guitar by Matt Feinstein, vocals Lucelia de Jesus and Matt.

There’s no food to be found anywhere around

Go try your luck in some other town

This city has no drive or creativity

You boat rockers go try some bigger city

I have all I need here, this empty pot

Just need to light a fire in this central spot

We have all we need here, these empty walls

We’ll rebuild it together so it never falls

Chorus:

Throw a stone into the pot

A tasty meal is what we’ve got

___

Bring what you can though it may not be much

Each one their ideas, each one their own touch

Cooking up a better Worcester, let’s stir this shit up

Oh, but a bit of salt would be a delight

Now an onion and carrot would make it just right

Some can put on a show, some can drive in a nail

We ask as we walk and we’ll find our own trail

Dozens of people came out to the square

Bearing hope and each part of the soup they could spare

Our bike shop, our Free School, our cooperative store

We’ll share what we have and we’ll all have much more

Chorus

Not a full meal had they eaten since fall

But that day a feast was had by them all

No more landlords who raise rent or tell us to leave

This time the space will be ours from basement to eave

Neighbors with neighbors, the hoarding had ceased

From a stone in a pot to a wonderful feast

A movement is growing and you can be part

From an empty walled building, revolution we’ll start

Chorus

7. More Than One Song

Mixed heritage liberation looks different for everyone, but this song weaves together some shared experiences as well as my story as the son of a working class jew and a rebellious owning class WASP. Even people who sing more than one song can find clear self-identities even if it means relating to more than one culture.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

D – A – / A – D /

Makes you feel like

Like you don’t belong

We’re from more than one place

We sing more than one song

To fertile ground

Moves the walking palm

D – G – / G – / A – / /

Jew side bronx and co-op harmony

And work through school, bring dreams to fruition

Wasps side buzzed big and fast a free

Shaking up the status quo took a younger generation

Jew side learned to check for the union bug

Wasp side saying union was sedition

Wasps swept our slaveholding past under the rug

Jews Yidish lost, not food or tradition

Makes you feel like

Like you don’t belong

We’re from more than one place

We sing more than one song

Desert tree seed

Roots fast to hang on

Adapt to the whens and hows of where we are

Fight to understand the fears we will conquer

We could end up on the banks of near or far

And still have all the yearning to wander

Not like chameleons who just change skin

We’ll adapt here but assimilate no longer

We do not lose our self just to fit in

Our sense of who we are, it gets stronger

Makes you feel like

Like you don’t belong

We’re from more than one place

We sing more than one song

Rivers forge new paths

They’re bound to flow on

Attitudes tell us time after time

We’re nothing if not this or fully that

We claim either or both anytime

We are how we feel not what they look at

Call us mixed up, shkutz or hooligan

But who’s not mixed in one way we must ponder

To find our true selves we look within

Our sense of who we are, it gets stronger

Bridge:

G A D – / /

E – A / /

From more than one place

We sing more than one song 4x

8. Seeds from Fire

The Stone Soup Community Center suffered a major electrical fire in March of 2009. Many said the building needed to be demolished. Others said there was no way for the grassroots groups to raise enough to rebuild the architecturally significant building. But the dedicated members knew that some pines trees only release their true potential after a major fire.

http://StoneSoupWorcester.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Drop D tuning

Dm – – – / Dm – Gm – /

Gm – Dm – / A7 – – – /

Chorus:

Gm – Dm – / Gm – Dm – /

Gm – Dm – / A7 – – – /

Gm – Dm – / Gm – Dm – /

Gm – Dm – / Am – – – /

Last Am barred 5^th fret

For two years we have been swaying

With strong winds from every side

On her branches we’ve been perching

Raucous chirping all inside

Cozy homes we have been building

As her roots deeper down they grow Neighbors of every feather flying

Many we have yet to know

Chorus:

The fire can only injure her

No she won’t be taken down today

She may have taken quite a beating

But the great pine is here to stay

Concrete shows no signs of fertility

Her seeds will surely here not grow

Only after a great big fiery blaze

Of her seeds will she ever let go

We chirp of change and consciousness

We sing that one day all will be free

We hear each bird’s call as powerful

We paint tomorrow’s society

Chorus

Three alarms spark up late that night

Flames reach up into the sky

Smoke chokes us out and water nearly drowns us

Singed to make the full moon cry

No great phoenix will arise from the ashes

No grand savior from way up high

But each pinecone knows to open up

With seeds in beaks off we’ll fly

Spoken:

And that first night murals are painted

By gifted hands, rattle, pshht, rattle

And in bright colors that pour out with defiance we see:

Our dreams cannot be burnt to the ground

Out of these ashes comes life

9. Detenciones No Más (No More Detentions)

March 6th, 2007 a massive raid was carried out by ICE agents on the Michael Bianco factory in New Bedford, MA arresting over 350 workers. A delegation from the group Maya K’iche who organized with the families affected by this raid came to share their stories and sing with Matt on the stage at the Mayday rally in Worcester, MA (May 1st, 2007).

http://worcesterimmigrantcoalition.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Drop D tuning

Dm Gm

A A7 Dm

Dm A7

F C

A7 Dm

C Dm

Early Tuesday morning

At the Michael Bianco plant

Voces y gritos

Y desesperación

Quinientos agentes

ICE surround us like cattle

La migra con armas

por todos lados

No somos ganados, somos madres,

padres, hermanas, e hijas

We’re mothers, not cattle

We’re workers, not criminals

Madres

Trabajadores

Stop the detentions

Detenciones no más!

War in my country

Brought us here to New Bedford

War in New Bedford

Tore my family apart

Guerra en mi paíz

Refugiados en New Bedford

Guerra aquí

Rompió mi familia en dos

No somos criminals, somos madres,

Padres, hermanas, y hijas

We’re mothers, not cattle

We’re workers, not criminals

Madres

Trabajadores

Stop the detentions

Detenciones no más!

Listen closely to the cries

Of my 3 month old daughter

Enferma sin leche

Life is nothing without her

Pero la gente se junta

Organizando y luchando

The suits talk of crisis

But the people come through

No somos criminals, somos madres,

Padres, hermanas, y hijas

We’re mothers, not cattle

We’re workers, not criminals

Madres

Trabajadores

And together we say…

Stop the detentions

¡Detenciones no más

Miedo no más

La migra no más

Fronteras no más

Detenciones no más

Detenciones no más!

10. Fight Right Now / La Co-op (live)

The non-profit industrial complex could be the doom of social movements if we don’t see through the hypocracy and take action.

http://www.incite-national.org

Cooperativas – we’re all sailors, no captains, no bosses.

http://WorcesterRoots.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Verse: Gm F

Chorus: C F G sus (add C on B string)

Bridge: C G x3 into chorus

Budgets, indicators

Target marginal populations

Culturally competent shit (spit)

Dependent on the service

Kept away from confrontations

Greening not replacing it

Overdraft your non-deductibles

Pro-rate your uninsurables

It’s politics, a policy limit

Procedure stipulations

Performance permutations

Report them, now make them fit

Chorus:

We can’t take it any more

We’re going to fight right now

Distraction from the action

In cahoots with the suits

Old white boys in new white tees

Haul the cash and accrue all

Gatekeepers losers weepers

Feel-good thin diversities

Civil society sobriety

Empowerment’s a sour mint

Down our throats, cough, wheeze

Who says that changes come with patience

Sit and wait for your fate

He who only looks within, sees

Bridge:

What are we waiting for?

Chorus:

We’re going to fight right now

It’s time to turn the tables

Jump up, unplug the cables

Soon the system’s gonna crack

The cat tales we’ll stop chasing

More than charters we’ll be changing

They can fight us but no longer distract

Strategize for action

Then make a quick reflection

Adjust, again it’s time to act

Collectivize our power

Not the man of the hour

Now the people take the power back

It’s time people took the power back

Chorus

We’re going to fight right now

[win]

[kiss]

[rock]

[strike]

Para formar la co-op

Se nececita echar el patrón al carajo

Echar el patrón al carajo

Para mi, para ti, ay arriba ay arriba

Ay arriba ay arriba por ti seré y por mi seré y por ti seré

Co-operativa 3x

Todos somos marineros

No hay capitán, no hay capitán, no hay capitán

11. One Last Tear

9/13/05 R.I.P. Daylin O’Madigan and so many others murdered by racism, poverty, and failed education systems.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

F C Dm Em / F C G – /

Chorus:

Daylin’s face on the wall

One last tear we’ll let fall

Turn off your TV and your radio

Open your doors for a new life

You are kings and queens you are gold

As Ron spoke these words his family cried

Chorus

He saw in society what is wrong

His energy lit up any room

Saw how the neighborhood could be strong

He planted a flower, now let it bloom

Chorus

Let us take over where he left

Find the justice he desired

Not one more life with anyone theft

Not one more vigil will be required

Chorus

12. Red & Black

A love story between a communist and an anarchist. Yes it is possible.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

F G A – / / / ED A /

Chorus: C D A – / C D A – /

Turning trees into skyscrapers

Turning bogs to oil spills

Turning seeds into markets

Building fences and moving the mills

Threat as old as generations

that day still stood imminent

But love has its way with timing

hearts found joy as they stood vigilant

And their bond was fast, their bond is strong (repeat)

Bounding in the red fox shimmered

passion, speed, and brilliance

Then leaped in the black squirrel dancing

with quick feet yet defiant in stance

Red and black rarely join say the stories

if they do it’s for just a short fight

But with common purpose, defiance

their hearts knew the time to unite

And their bond was fast, their bond is strong (repeat)

Fear had kept alliances timid

but stars and seasons aligned

Arm in arm they took down the fences

planted seeds of hope undefined

Inspired by actions and vision

others will stand up and join in

Fox and squirrel and many will stumble

but together in struggle they’ll win

And their bond was fast, their bond is strong (repeat)

13. Anglo Imperialism

Linguistic infiltration of a culture can be a major road in for other aspects of cultural imposition, dominance, death of customs and knowledge, etc.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

v: A – D – / A – E E7 / A – D – / E E7 A – /

ch: D – A – / E – E7 – / D – A – / E E7  A /

In the Americas English dominates business

But for us that’s not a surprise

Para sobrevivir en “marketing”

Take the English word and improvise

But where the more subtle control happens

Is in a young person’s mind

No hay nada mejor que MTV

Nothing like TV makes us blind

Chorus:

The imposition of English

May not look like the villain

But first we come for your culture

Then we come for your children

For the two days at the end of your week

In France there’s a trend

To change “La Fin de Semaine”

Into the anglo “Weekend”

And don’t expect the real French cheese

Or the legs of a frog

Voulez-vous le McDonald

Non, je prefère un hot-dog

Chorus

In Brazil the letter “x”

Is pronounced “shease”

Close enough to use it

Where in English we use the word “cheese”

So if you see an “x-burger”

Now you’ll know what that means

Eu não gosto de x-burger

Give me a x-salad please

Chorus

Up in Quebec to defend their language

They mix up a phrase or two

Translate “you’re welcome” literally

You say “Merci” they respond “Bienvenue”

But at the same time as they overcompensate

It’s “très cool” to anglicize

Get in your “char” and take a ride

To the pizzaria pour manger un “slice”

Chorus

In Palestine technological language

Is all English derived

But there our comrade named Bustani

Will make sure his culture survives

When the subject turns to that of computers

Bustani will silently resist

When IBM threatens to co-opt his language

He’ll shut his mouth and raise up his fist

14. For Real

Written for Dania Flores who taught me how to ride a motorcycle, what it means to stay true to myself, and what love feels like when it’s for real.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Tattooed attitude C – – F

turns heads as you F – C –

bike by the fire station C – G –

no one pushes you D7 – G –

off of your roots D7 – G –

your solid foundation F – G G7

you know it’s for real C – – F

when those quirky things F – C –

just seem sort of sweet C – G –

you know it’s for real C – – F

when those major things F – G –

make you feel complete G – C –

sitting legs crossed

there on the throne

you let the thoughts flow

the vision is great

de base and bold

seeds of power you do sow

Chorus

singing along

to lyrics you

don’t quite have down

you speak your mind

be it outrage or love

compa for life I have found

15. Je M’en Vais

I’m leaving. If not, you’re off. It’s not our fault it’s society. Such a transient culture takes a toll on attempts at lasting relationships.

Song / Guitar / Clarinet: Matt Feinstein

C Blues

Je m’en vais

Sinon, tu t’en vas

Oui je m’en vais

Ce n’est pas notre faute

C’est la societé

Il y a toujours d’autres villes

L’échelle du travail précaire

Ne s’arrête jamais

Toujours le danger de tomber

Mais jamais la chance

De tomber amoureux

Je pense toujours quitter

Et tu ne peux pas rester

Je m’en vais

Sinon, tu t’en vas

Oui je m’en vais

Ce n’est pas notre faute

C’est la societé

Qu’est ce qui a cassé

Les communautés?

C’était le capitalisme allant

Ou les ex-amoureux en partant

La vie devient chaque année

De plus en plus jetable

L’intimitee c’est rarement

Profond et durable

Je m’en vais

Sinon, tu t’en vas

Oui je m’en vais

Ce n’est pas notre faute

C’est la societé

16. Floating Heart

Those of us lucky enough to grow up connected to the land can feel a void when we’ve been sucked into the fast-paced city lifestyle.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

C – – – | – – F – | – – – -/F# | G – C – |

Is is the smell of the wood

Familiar feel of the hall

Knowing right where it’s put

Or morning birds you hear call?

Barefoot summers came slow

Crisp air falls came so fast

Hikes where waterfalls flow

You just want it to last

There’s hard work to be done

Stacked up feels so complete

Three rows planted full sun

Desk work cannot compete

But to bigger we flow

And to fast we aspire

Back to the land we don’t go

It’s just rusting barbed wire

No more dirt in our hands

No long grass to our knees

A floating heart needs to land

Somewhere surrounded by trees

17. Dew or Rain

Distance from a lover can help you decipher if it’s temporary passion that will quickly evaporate or a steady downpour of joyous love to follow. It was rain and rain is good.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

C – C7 Cdim | G F C – |

Is it dew or is it rain?

Skylight frames the moon linked to your eyes

Small mesh window too frames your skies

Farther than sun rays on the track

Closer than my hands upon your back

Is it dew or is it rain?

Journal spoken loud I hear “let in”

Stay dry or under the cloud a dance begin?

Claves show how this dance is not just dew

It’s clear this warm rain will fall the whole night through

18. Solid Economy

It’s time to build something better than the current shaky, exploitative economy. A solidarity economy is being built on principles of solidarity, mutualism, cooperation, equity people over profits, sustainability, social and economic democracy and pluralism.

http://USSEN.org/

http://WorcesterSAGEalliance.org

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein, backup vocals: Lucelia de Jesus, Sergio Castillo and Julius Jones

|: C – – – | C – G C : |

Ch:

C – – – | F – D – |

C – – – | C – G C |

I can’t find a job

and keep my dignity

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

I can’t sell my crops

within this community

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

I cannot supply

Safe food for my family

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

And since solid stands

for solidarity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

Solidarity

stand together in unity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

Their waste abounds

While so many are in poverty

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

Their market lies

on shaky territory

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

Hands corrupt and tied

by corporate bullies

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

And since solid stands

for solidarity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

Solidarity

stand together in unity

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

Since our sugar’s still

stained by modern slavery

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

They want war for oil

We want green clean energy

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

Surplus gotta stay

in our locality

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

And since solid stands

for solidarity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

Not a shaky one Clap, clap 3x

Not a racist one Clap, clap 3x

Not a sexist one Clap, clap 3x

Not a classist one Clap, clap 3x

Solidarity

stand together in unity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

We will meet our needs

co-operatively

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

We want justice and

true diversity

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

Those who fight the man

are a big part of the “we”

So we’ve got to build

the solid economy

And since solid stands

for solidarity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

Not a shaky one Clap 4x a solid…

Not a racist one Clap, a par econ

Not a sexist one Clap, plentitude

Not a classist one Clap, co-op

Solidarity

stand together in unity

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

‘Cause we’re powerful

and share responsibility

We’ve got to build

the solid economy

‘Cause we’re powerful

and have the capacity

We’re going to build

the solid economy

19. 21st Century Romance

Technology changing the rules of dating.

Song / Guitar: Matt Feinstein

Am (barred) G (barred)

Em turnaround

It’s sprinkling on the way back from the rave

Your bumper up to mine a really close shave

My wipers kinda timid, yours a little more brave

Mine jitter nervously as your’s erotically wave

Flirting in the 21^st century