From the 2018 video for Resilient
THESE TIMES ARE POIGNANT, THE WINDS HAVE SHIFTED
“Power to the peaceful, prayers to the waters,
women at the center” sing Rising Appalachia
Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate it with southern US sister duo Rising Appalachia singing their song Resilient – as heartfelt and true of an uplifting feminist, activist anthem as you’re going to hear.
Performing since 2005 Leah Song and Chloe Smith have been charting an independent path through the music industry from the start, much like their friend and colleague Ani Difranco. Their folk and jazz oriented songs encompass their community activism, concern for the earth, climate and food systems.
While Resilient was issued in 2018 the group released new music in September with a preview single called Thank You Very Much.
Leah Song told PopMatters magazine the tune, “started as a totem to our family and the blue-collar bedrock of our upbringing. It moved into a wider place of gratitude in a song that speaks as an anthem for us, to the many radical and wild humans who have stepped in and helped make this music soar, and to the long road we all walk together towards home. It is a testimony to the simple power of appreciation.”
That release was followed in November with the album Live From New Orleans at Preservation Hall. The venue is an iconic institution in the city.
Resilient lyrics
I am resilient
I trust the movement
I negate the chaos
Uplift the negative
I’ll show up at the table, again and again and again
I’ll close my mouth and learn to listen
These times are poignant
The winds have shifted
It’s all we can do
To stay uplifted
Pipelines through backyards
Wolves howlin out front
Yeah, I got my crew but truth is what I want
Realigned and on point
Power to the peaceful
Prayers to the waters
Women at the center
All vessels open to give and receive
Let’s see the system brought down to it’s knees
I’m made of thunder
I’m made of lightning
I’m made of dirt (yeah)
Made of the fine things
My father taught me that I’m a speck of dust
And this world was made for me
So let’s go and try our luck
I got my roots down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down, down, deep
I got my roots down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down, down, deep
So what are we doing here? What has been done?
What are you gonna do about it when the world comes undone?
My voice feels tiny and I’m sure so does yours
But put us all together we make a mighty roar
I am resilient
I trust the movement
I negate the chaos
Uplift the negative
I’ll show up at the table, again and again and again
I’ll close my mouth and learn to listen
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Leah Smith / Chloe Smith
Stay tuned and listen in,
08 March 2023
