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It Isn't Nice

by Spirit Family Reunion

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about

Much of the misery, suffering and exploitation that is so palpable to so many right now, relies on deception, hopelessness and complacency in order to maintain power. Only with hearts, minds and eyes wide open can we really find our way forward. Music helps us open, and we hope this song can help you as we find our collective way forward.

This song came to us by way of two brave women: Malvina Reynolds who wrote it, and Barbara Dane who made this arrangement. As they demonstrated on the front lines of past freedom struggles, working for freedom is not always seen as nice, convenient or even permissible by law. But we need to embrace it, otherwise we are working against our own humanity.

If freedom is the absence of subjugation to domination, we have a lot of work to do before we all truly have access to this fundamental ideal. And there are so many courageous examples of this work. This song means to move you into rebellion. To embrace your power to disrupt the viciousness that is permitted by complacency.

lyrics

It isn't nice to block the doorway
It isn't nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail
It isn't nice, it isn't nice
You told us once, you told us twice
If that's freedom's price
We don't mind

We have tried negotiations
And to wave the campaign sign
Mister Charlie doesn't see us
Hell he might as well be blind
When we deal with men of ice
We can't behave in ways so nice
If that's freedom's price
We don't mind

They separate children at the Mexican border
And shoot our good neighbors for driving while black
Did you say it wasn't proper?
Did you stand upon the track?
No you were quiet just like mice
We can't afford to be so nice
If that's freedoms price
We don't mind

When is the time to step out of line
To be the ones who would not obey
Could we build another kingdom
Without suffering as slaves?
We can't cling to shrinking ground
We got to tear this building down
All you kings will lose your crowns
The order's coming down
We don't mind

Written by Malvina Reynolds 1963
Arranged by Barbara Dane 1966
Updated by Spirit Family Reunion 2018

credits

released October 12, 2018
LYRIC VIDEO : youtu.be/QgAo7IxAr_U

Recorded and mixed at the Outlier Inn by Josh Druckman
Backing vocals by Sabine McCalla & Joanna Tomassoni -sabinemccalla.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/joannatomassoni

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