My friend, singer/songwriter, Busy McCarroll, has written a heartfelt song entitled “Divided States.” The soulful piece is an anthem of the trials and tribulations we are currently experiencing, and a panacea for our national soul.
This never-ending pandemic is wreaking havoc on our beloved country and our collective psyche. It has been infecting and killing Americans for over a year. Our schools have been disrupted, businesses are failing and millions are out of work. Suicides are rising as the economy falls. Many have politicized masks, distancing and vaccinations, pitting Americans against Americans.
Add the preexisting racial problems, social injustice, political rancor; and then the shameful pillaging of our nation’s Capitol… what we have here is a perfect storm.
This is the new reality: the Divided States of America.
Busy sings:
People – it’s time to come together
People – the time is now
Freedom – love and kindness
Don’t let hope fade – let love show us how
“I’m not so naive to think that a song can fix all of this,” says Busy. “These are systemic problems we’ve had in this country for a long time.” But she’s trying hard.
Wake up – open your heart
Shake up – on every corner when each day starts
Liberty – the bell of struggle
Pursuit of happiness – makes good trouble
“And we lost John Lewis!” She mourns him… and America, too.
“Equality means a lot to me, and it’s about the races and the sexes… and it’s something that our country is really failing at.”
No more fear – No more hate
Let love shine on these divided states
No more fear – no more hate
Let love unite the human race
Let love shine on these divided states
Let love heal these divided states
Busy says: “I don’t want to lose hope. Ask yourself, ‘What can I do in this struggle?’…”
Listening to “Divided States,” a song to inspire hope and healing, has a calming affect on my troubled mind. It’s like musical chicken soup: medicine for the soul. Sing on, sweet woman, we hear you.
You can hear the song here:
Credits:
Busy McCarroll – acoustic guitar & vocals
Chris Sherland – electric guitar
Kevin Zoernig – piano & organ
Howard Cloud – bass
Baird Banner – drums
Graphic design — Susan Holmes
Recorded and mixed by Baird Banner at Kludgit Sound, Cerrillos, New Mexico
Thanks for listening!