River of Tears, by Allister Thompson and Matt Borghi

River of Tears

by Allister Thompson and Matt Borghi

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britishpenguin I love this song because it highlights the dreadful treatment of the indigenous peoples of Canada, North America and sadly beyond too. I hope the fundraising effort helps in a small way to show love to those who were affected.

	/

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	1.	River of Tears 05:22	lyrics	buy track
	Proud isolated city on the great lake so wide Where the colonial and ancient will always collide Where Reggie, Kyle, and Curran, and others of so few years Met a lonely death in the river of tears Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay, All this country’s shame will not be explained away Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay All our apologies won’t wash the suffering away Barbara Kentner was a mother on Ojibwe land Viciously killed by an occupier’s hand “I think I got one,” someone yelled as they took her down Another blow for white rule in this divided town Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay, Racism and hatred can’t be explained away Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay All our false remorse can’t erase the pain And we say that we’ve learned We’ll deal with you as equals But they say no, no, no We just can’t believe you After hundreds of years of tears And broken promises Why won’t we be better? Trust is long gone now in a land of broken dreams How can you strike a bargain with liars and thieves? Stand up for each other if you believe in what’s right Let’s drag this country forward, into the light Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay, All this country’s shame will not be explained away Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay All our apologies can’t wipe the suffering away Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay, Racism and hatred can’t be explained away Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay All our false remorse can’t take the pain away

about

This is a special "single" release of a song from our 2021 album, "Lord Introvert."

"River of Tears" is based on what is told in Tanya Talaga's book "Seven Fallen Feathers," and several other sources, concerning the scourge of systemic anti-Indigenous racism and violence in Canada. It is offered as a sincere expression of remorse and a desire for radical change in Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Given the ongoing revelations of systemic racism in Thunder Bay and other Canadian cities and towns, I would like the existence of this song to make some kind of positive contribution.

Hence, going forward, all revenues from this single release of the song will be donated to the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre to support its work.

tbifc.ca

This release is not endorsed by that centre or any other Indigenous organization; it is solely the gesture of one citizen.

I also need to emphasize that any piece of art that mentions trauma and death, citing real cases, can be triggering to some listeners or viewers. The last thing I would want would be for a song I wrote to do that to someone, so listeners should take that under advisement.

You can read about why I wrote it here:
makeyourowntaste.com/2022/03/07/river-of-tears/

----

Proud isolated city on the great lake so wide
Where the colonial and ancient will always collide
Where Reggie, Kyle, and Curran, and others of so few years
Met a lonely death in the river of tears

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
All this country’s shame will not be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our apologies won’t wash the suffering away

Barbara Kentner was a mother on Ojibwe land
Viciously killed by an occupier’s hand
“I think I got one,” someone yelled as they took her down
Another blow for white rule in this divided town

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
Racism and hatred can’t be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our false remorse can’t erase the pain

And we say that we’ve learned
We’ll deal with you as equals
But they say no, no, no
We just can’t believe you
After hundreds of years of tears
And broken promises
Why won’t we be better?

Trust is long gone now in a land of broken dreams
How can you strike a bargain with liars and thieves?
Stand up for each other if you believe in what’s right
Let’s drag this country forward, into the light

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
All this country’s shame will not be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our apologies can’t wipe the suffering away

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
Racism and hatred can’t be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our false remorse can’t take the pain away

credits

released March 7, 2022

Allister Thompson: writer, guitar, vocal, bass, drums
Matt Borghi: ambient guitar

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Allister Thompson - The Gateless Gate North Bay, Ontario

This is the place to meet the psychedelic, progressive, ambient, and folk/rock music of Allister Thompson released under his own name and as The Gateless Gate, Sons of Birches, Twilight Fields, and Khan Tengri.

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