Such a Crime

Lyrics by Lauren Speeth and music by Josh Workman

    ...available soon at iTunes

What if there were a grass roots movement — based in song — fostering an ethic of sharing and understanding, and open hearted compassion towards the last and least, right here in our country? What would that look like? What would it be called? ...Second Saturdays for Soup-Kitchens? Would you join in such a song? (see a flyer here)

In the tradition of 'call and response' Commodore Callahan offers the song "Such a Crime" as a call. It is now posted on YouTube as a sing-along with a 'follow the bouncing ball' motif. Others are invited to reply with their own versions. As replies grow, our hope is that soup kitchen pantries are filled and the homeless find much needed shelter.

This song found its inspiration in a true story, an op-ed piece by Barbara Ehrenreich in the New York Times. The song is our effort to give a voice to the voiceless, questioning the increasing criminalization and hard-heartedness to the rising tide of poverty and inequality. The song asks simply: is it a crime to be poor?

Such a Crime
Lyrics - Lauren Speeth, Music - Josh Workman

REF Is it a crime Is it a crime Is it a crime to be poor? Such a crime, and it's time
Time to pray for the day that it isn't anymore

VERSE
To rich and the poor, our law is blind,
To native sons, she's still unkind.
On the street you'd better not find
A doorway to rest your head.
Our reverend would never swear,
Didn't even have long hair.
He was busted in his wheelchair,
In the shelter where he'd finally found a bed
(ref)

VERSE
Rev didn't dodge, he went to 'Nam,
Paid so dear for our freedom
Now and then some folks would come,
Try to help him along
Don't you want the kids to see us caring,
Lightening the load our brother's bearing?
No, let's crack down on the sha-a-ring
Sharing food, that's just so rude!"
(ref)

BRIDGE
There's a hard rain comin' for the hard of heart,
nd "can't" aint never done nothing.
Come on in, and do your part and refuse to do just nothing.

VERSE
Just step over that minister,
Yeah walk on past that minister
He looks mighty sinister, though he could be you or me.
Could his story maybe wake us
Grip us, even shake us?
Think where our life could take us.
We're just too afraid to see!
(ref)

Studio recording, San Mateo, November 2009, Commodore Callahan. Featuring Lauren Speeth, vocals backed up by Josh Workman and Don Kane, with Josh Workman, guitar, synth and Don Kane, bass. Audio Recording - Josh Workman. Mixing: Josh Workman and John Watkins. Mastering: John Watkins. Copyright C 2009 Elfenworks Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved.

*Coming Soon! **

*New Single! **

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