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Face of the Refugee - Single

by Karl Sanden

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Rather than paying me for the song, an alternative I would suggest in light of the subject matter is to donate instead to one of dozens of organizations that work with refugees. Some suggestions include:

United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) www.unhcr.ca
Mennonite Central Commitee (MCC): mcccanada.ca/stories/sponsor-syrian-refugees
Migrant Offshore Aid Station: www.moas.eu

To download the track free, just enter $0 into the purchase line at Checkout. You can then enter your email address at which you will receive your download link.

I wrote this song first as an instrumental blues groove, but as I learned more about the ongoing refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, a call to action regarding these events seemed to fit with the tone of the music. I was especially moved by the story of Alan Kurdi, and how he represented the millions of Syrian migrants fleeing civil war, risking everything to better their circumstances.

As Canadians, we often forget how many of our parents and grandparents first came to Canada as refugees and immigrants seeking to better our circumstances in the same way that these migrants are seeking asylum. We have in common the same desire of giving our children a safe and prosperous future. To ignore them is to turn our backs on our own history.

When we can see them as individual people with hopes, dreams, brilliant ideas, and children to care for, we can no longer simply see them as numbers in a dismal statistic. As you see their faces and hear their cries echoing over the waves, I hope that you will allow the sadness that tugs at your heart to motivate you towards compassion.

Please enjoy this music, wherever you come from.

You can read more about Alan Kurdi here:
www.macleans.ca/news/world/his-name-was-alan-kurdi/
The following article also influenced my songwriting process:
www.pinterest.ca/pin/294774738093863572/#

I am so grateful to all my friends and family who have helped me out with this project. Your feedback and encouragement has been invaluable, and I could not have made this happen without you.

lyrics

Lyrics:

Hear our cries rebounding o'er the waves
We flee the scourge
Just to drown
Under this deluge

Tell yourself that you can't help me
Tell yourself that we're just numbers now

I have no choice
But pay them as they charge
Much as that wavering craft
Will fail me

Tell yourself that you can't help me
Tell yourself that we're just numbers
No one
Wants us
But they can't stop us
We must get out

Once you were here
A refugee
On distant shores
Once you were me
Stood in these shoes
Desired this same hope
For your children
Yet you...

Tell yourself that you can't help me
Tell yourself that we're just numbers
No one
Wants us
But they can't stop us now...

His face a tragic woe implored
His lifeless body laid
To frame your failure
Yet you...

Tell yourself that you can't help me
You tell yourself that we're just numbers
No one
Wants us
But they can't stop us
We must get out

Open your heart and
Let that sorrow
Build in you
The strength to break in
Drive out the dark with love
Know your soul does plead

But don't tell yourself
That you can't help us
Tell yourself
We're not just numbers
See our faces
You can't keep us out

credits

released November 20, 2015
Words and music by Karl Sanden.
Percussion, accordion, harmonica, organ, and vocals performed by Karl Sanden.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Karl Sanden at his home studio in Vancouver, BC.
Produced by Karl Sanden.
Album art by Karl Sanden.

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Karl Sanden Edmonton, Alberta

Karl Sanden grew up playing piano in the Thompson River Valley. He then moved to Vancouver, BC for 8 years where he taught himself the accordion, mandolin, drums, and harmonica, and self-produced his own recordings.

Karl now spends most of his time fixing broken things or with his family, and he rarely plays music. Once in a while, though, his accordion randomly pops up in unexpected places. ... more

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