Immigrant
Liner Notes
I guess I have more protest songs in me. This one I wrote at 5am when I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. As an immigrant to the USA myself (born in Canada of Jamaican parents), I feel like I'm in a strange position of privilege. Since I came here when I was 6 months old, I basically fit in as an American. Hell, it's all I've ever known. Also, being white means I've never been questioned, and I have no fear of being questioned. Still, I wasn't born here, so I feel a connection to immigrant communities, and it hurts to see so many of them going through serious troubles right now.
Lyrics
Verse 1 ICE raids are beginning, Whole communities in fear, People rounded up Indiscriminately you hear. Families are in hiding Like it's 1938, And yet I'm living life Free from all that fear and hate.
Chorus I wasn't born here. I am an immigrant, But I have no problem fitting in. I have no fears of being deported Cuz of the color of my skin.
Verse 2 Immigrants are scapegoats For the sins of the rich. They make you hate the brown folks As a bait and switch. They use the word "illegal" As if it don't apply To the crimes they have committed Cuz their collars are white.
Chorus I wasn't born here. I am an immigrant, But I have no problem fitting in. I have no fears of being deported Cuz of the color of my skin.
Verse 3 Some people may be violent. Some people peddle drugs. Some steal all your money. Some just act like thugs. You may think that I am talking About immigrants in this verse, But I mean corporations, And don't you think that's worse?
Chorus I wasn't born here. I am an immigrant, But I have no problem fitting in. I have no fears of being deported Cuz of the color of my skin.
Bridge Immigrants aren't the problem. (X3) Get that through your head. Immigrants aren't the problem. (X3) Try the powers that be instead.
Final Chorus I wasn't born here. I am an immigrant, But I have no problem fitting in. I have no fears of being deported Cuz of the color of my skin. Plus we had money, and that protected me. We were upper middle class. If you don't believe that's why I'm safe now, Then you really are an ass. You really are an ass!
Comments
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/20136.png){kind=avatar}
A great little protest song - simple but powerful chord structure that serves a great vehicle for the words which are powerful and heartfelt. A lovely passionate performance that has a super climax in the last lines. Enjoyed this.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/29606.png){kind=avatar}
Wow! These just keep getting better... this is brilliant. About an hour ago I got tired of working (you know those working-from-home people) and decided the rest of the day was going to all music. I finished up a song, wrote another in fully, and not I'm going to listen to all your stuff (and probably Caitlin's), maybe some more song writing, before I head out with guitar and Djembe for a shot night of song-circle music nearby. When I get home... hopefully my brain is still in writing mode.. I have 6 more, and maybe some recording soon.
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/89d6d053-028f-44c3-b1e6-6851253752c1.png){kind=avatar}
Yes, Dave, YES!!! Go go go! Verse 2 is stark and acerbic. Brilliant writing. Nice gotcha moment in verse 3 too! A big HELL YEAH for this song! Kickass bridge. This is a fabulous protest song! Way to go!
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2025/3c9292df-fc16-480a-992e-c7684eb71365.png){kind=avatar}
digging this. the chorus is stuck in my head now. and you have a catchy bridge on this one. i always have a hard time writing good bridges so when i hear a good one i notice. nice work on this dude
![[avatar]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2024/850fae48-7dfb-4e05-a75d-5a2a19d16432.png){kind=avatar}
Cuz their collars are white - just their skin. I love that line. The verse 3 reveal is just too perfect as well. Thanks for recognizing your own privilege in such an open and genuine way. Your FAWM 2025 punk protest album is shaping up to kiss some major ass!
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Well said, although it's left me spitting blood. My mum was an immigrant - only from Ireland to England - but in the middle of the "No blacks, no Irish" movement here. She lost her accent and we moved from working to middle class and things changed here in regard to the Irish (the blacks is another story entirely) but I do have some sense of identity with immigrants. Love the punk shout out at the end, "No fears of being deported cuz of the colour of my skin". Spit, spit, spit! Excellent lyrics. Think I'm gonna find myself singing this. A Lot.