First song I've posted in quite a long while, and apologies in advance for the heavy intro, but since it's a subject that's important to me and to many (and should be to everyone), I want to give the context for the song.
So I started writing it a few years ago, not long after the horrific story of a young woman from Delhi, Jyoti Singh. I'm sure most people remember the story since it was so harrowing it was hard to forget. The press named her Nirbhaya, meaning "fearless one".
I started getting more and more aware of the prevalence violence and abuse of women, in so many forms, and in pretty much every culture and country around the world - sadly still no less topical today...
And I decided I wanted to write a song of defiance, and to reassert female value and strength.
I'd be really keen for feedback on any aspect, including suggestions for further/better production, but i guess most of all I'd just be keen to know whether it "strikes a chord" and gets a message across without being preachy? The message i wanted was one that didn't pull its punch too much but was still positive...
Oh and in case anyone wants to volunteer, the way i imagine the arrangement is with a choir of a thousand (female?) voices rising for the outro.....any takers?
Thank you!
https://soundcloud.com/rebeccamilkwood/i-am-a-womanWho am I to talk of rights, born a girl in a man's world?
Who am I to get ideas above my station?
Who am I to walk outside, all alone in a man's world?
Who am I to play so loose with my safety?
I am a woman, I am a woman
And I won't live in fear
I am a woman, I am a woman
I am a woman
Know your place, hide your face, don't go out after dark
Don't disgrace your protectors, they may do you harm
I may not speak but I still think, may not be seen but I shall not blink
I see my path and I shall not shrink, I bear witness
I am a woman, I am a woman
And I won't live in fear
I am a woman, I am a woman
I am a woman
I belong where I choose to be
Call out wrong where wrong I see
I bear witness, I bear witness, I bear witness
Who are we to dream of choices
Make demands and raise our voices
Raise our voices, raise our voices, raise our voices?
We are woman
etc