Monday 17 March 2014
I'd Rather Be Dancing (Rachel Corrie's Song). By Jim Page
Today I remember Rachel Corrie, as I do every year, with the Jim Page song ' I'd rather be dancing' based on letters she wrote home before the Israeli army crushed her to death on Gaza on 15/3/03. She was a 23 year old American Peace activist who was killed by an American built Caterpillar bulldozer, when she was protecting the home of Samir Nasrali's a Palestinian doctors' home from being demolished, for many people she is considered to be a hero and martyr. She had the courage to resist.
To this day the Gaza strip is still besieged. Violations of international law continue, as the Israeli government continues to disregard human rights.
http://rachelcorriefoundation.org
Lyrics:-
You know I was always the one
I could never stand idly by
and watch while the bullets beat up the waeker ones
I had to do something to try
and I never gave up on people
that we could be better somehow
morality's compass, you gave it to me
I still follow it now.
Wel. I couldn't stop thinking about it
I couldn't get it out of my mind
the pictures, the stories, the plight of the people
in occupied Palestine
how my government makes me complicit
with the political aid that they send
so I packed up my bags and I headed to Rafa
to work with the ISM *
and I'd rather be dancing, dancing and falling in love
but if I can just watch from a distance then what am I made of
mama these people are so goot to me
they treat me like one of their own
they feed me and see to my needs
and let me sleep in their home
papa their lives are so hard
the gun shots night
the road blocks, the strip searches, the humiliations
papa it just isn't right
I feel my privilege around me
It's there in my American face
I could wave my passport around like a flag
and I would be safe in this place
for these child soldiers of Israel
they look like the boys back home
and if it wasn't for American money
they'd have to leave these people alone
and I'd rather be dancing dancing to Pat Benator
but somebody has to do something about it and here we are
the tractors are coming today
they're like tanks with bulldozer blades
the name on the side says Caterpillar
that means they're American made
well I am American too
and I'll be where everybody can see
so if they want to run over these houses today
they're gonna have to run over me
it's dangerous taking a stand
but its dangerous running away
sometimes you have to face up to the danger
there is just no other way
for there are such beautiful dreams
I have seen the eyes of a child
and I can make a difference
then I think my life is worthwhile
and I'd rather be dancing, but instead i'm saying goodbye
but we'll meet again when its over, don't cry
and I'd rather be dancing, and surely we'd all rather be
and one day we'll dance in a world that's peaceful and free.
* International Solidarity Movement
http://palsolidarity.org/
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