The social context of 2017 and 2018 led us to reflect upon and learn more about the stories from our past and how they impact our present. This piece is written for our mothers and all the women who came before us. Their limitations and sacrifices became our endless opportunities for which we are grateful. It was our intention to include as many female voices on this piece as possible. Having those voices alive on the recording was fulfilling and integral to the outcome of the song. A special thank you to Emily Steinwall for allowing her words to open up the song and to Paulina Corpuz for lending her voice as the third and final statement you will hear in the piece.
—Belinda & Laura
lyrics
Opening poem written and spoken by Emily Steinwall:
In a dream I saw
A woman with braided hair
And a raven on top of her head.
I know her
She is my grandmother
And lives in my womb.
She makes my mind suffer
And cackles in delight.
She tells me:
“Do not fear the chaos in your body
For you are here to dance with it.
Do not fear the power in your voice
For you are here to shake the stars.
Do not fear the crashing waves of the ocean
Which break mountains
And swallow islands whole.
Do not fear the chaos in your body
For one day you will birth flowers
From your rotting flesh.
Time walks in steps much longer than you.
Do not fear your body
For it is all that is at once.”
Lyrics by Belinda Corpuz and Laura Swankey:
I hear you
I hear you
Crossed the ocean,
Sold everything for young love.
Strangers traveling
Hope for a new beginning.
My strange lover became my broken home keeper
The blind father missed the sick mother
Keep the home, say your prayers,
Scrub the floor, say your prayers,
Feed the men, say your prayers.
Keep the home, say your prayers,
Scrub the floor, say your prayers,
Feed the men, say your prayers.
Keep the home, say your prayers,
Scrub the floor, say your prayers,
Birth my babe, on my knees, say my prayers.
I hear you
I hear you
I hear you
I was built to carry
This sacrifice in my fresh skin.
I choose to hear you
My backbone will not cave in.
Concluding poem written and sung by Belinda Corpuz, spoken by Paulina Copuz:
In English:
You made me an explorer
I became something I thought I could never reach before
You held strong in your womb
Now I will carry you from
Where you are
Where you are
Where you are is home
And I am here
With you
In Tagalog:
Ginawa mo akong manggagalugad
Ako ay naging isang bagay na naisip kong hindi kailanman maabot
Malakas mong kinimkim sa iyong sinapupunan
Ako ang magdadala sa iyo mula sa
Kung saan
Kung saan
Kung saang ikaw ay tahanan
At narito ako
Kasama ka
credits
from Volume Three,
released November 23, 2018
Music and Lyrics by Belinda Corpuz and Laura Swankey
Poems by Emily Steinwall and Belinda Corpuz
Lead Vocals – Belinda Corpuz, Laura Swankey
Backing Vocals – Jocelyn Barth, Joanna Majoko
Spoken Word – Paulina Corpuz, Emily Steinwall
Tenor Saxophone – Emily Steinwall
Trombone – Nebyu Yohannes
Guitar – Belinda Corpuz
Piano – Laura Swankey
Bass – Connor Walsh
Drums – Sarah Thawer
Collective Order is a collaborative recording project featuring 21 jazz musicians based in Toronto. Since forming in 2015,
the band has released one album of jazz standards and two albums consisting of all-original compositions. Now releasing their third album, the band has undoubtedly developed a distinct aesthetic centred around a shared creative process....more
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