He was nine when he went walking
Just as sure as he could be
Books and dreams, they made it obvious
Stars were in his destiny
They said you should not be here
People like you aren't for this
Nevertheless, nevertheless
He'd persist
No other choice left in the rubble
Ten in a dayboat built for two
Seeking refuge to be human
Like we're all entitled to
They try to trip them as they run
Resenting that they can exist
Nevertheless, nevertheless
They persist
They march onward for their children
They stand ground on sacred lands
They read letters for the voiceless
They hold outcasts by the hands
Words forewarned in chamber halls
Chastised for hers but not for his
Nevertheless, nevertheless
She persists
I found a drumbeat I can dance to
A dusty trail carved by my feet
I've traveled farther going solo
Resistance has sculpted me
They try to put me in my place
They try to tell me how it is
Nevertheless, nevertheless
I persist
They hold fast to morning pledges
In being all that they could be
To uphold the inalienable rights
Of the brave and the free
But where's this land of the free
If freedom's doled out from a list
Nevertheless, nevertheless
Please persist (2x)
Nevertheless, nevertheless
We persist
-- words and music by Monica Uhm, (c) 2017
Monica released her first album, "Six Years to Zanzibar" as a songwriter's scrapbook in 2000. It was recorded one summer over a series of late nights. With one exception, each song is a live single-take, single-track recording of vocals and guitar. Originally intended as scratch demos, these recordings are flawed. But they are real and captures the spirit of the all-analog recording experience. All words and music (c)2000 by Monica Uhm. Recorded by Kenny Lienhardt at Sonic Studios NYC. Found on CD Baby at https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/uhm and on iTunes under "monica uhm"