Escape

from 2007: Born Again by Tim J Rowe

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℗ Tim J Rowe, 2006.
'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' © Wallis Willis.
Verses © Tim J Rowe, 2006.

I had done a version like this once before, but then lost the files and therefore wasn't able to remix it, so I re-recorded the entire thing again. The chorus is, of course, taken from 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot'. Although the song is well known I didn't really get into it until I heard the China Black version with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on their 'Best Of...' album, who I'd heard of because of their work with Paul Simon on his Graceland album which I basically grew up on. I didn't realize until later that the China Black/Ladysmith version was the adopted anthem of the English rugby team, a bit of a bitch since I was using it in reference to returning to Wales - generally revered to be on the other side of the racial fence.

(I should mention that this was going to be one day in the future when I knew I would miss my home, whereas at that point I did know it wasn't right for me to stay I hadn't actually left yet. So, yeah, I was talking about returning to Wales before actually leaving Wales... Odd.)

Either way, I don't think African slaves singing it a hundred years before were mindful of a Welsh-English rugby divide, and so I'm using it in it's original form as a message of freedom.

Watch the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=CchwpcdkG_c

lyrics

Lyrics:

I’ve been running round, lost, trying to find a way back through
To the home I knew before I was thrown into the blue.
I guess we live and learn but first we all gotta wanna breathe,
And be happy with the world so we still wanna be.
I can’t give a reason why I’m standing when I should be underground.
It’s a simple case of proving I can last another round.
Don’t you try and push me further cos I made up my own mind.
It’s up to me to be done with this when I’m done with my life.
When I’ll fly up on high…

Swing low, sweet chariot.
Comin’ for to carry me home.
Swing low sweet chariot.
Comin’ for to carry me home.

It’s like a game you love to hate me, try to make fate take a hand,
But I’m waiting for a day I get to make you understand
That I’m not an angry person and this ain’t about revenge.
It’s just helping you to see I’m a friend to my friends.

Swing low, sweet chariot…

This is a message to people who don’t get me,
For all the rest you know who I am.
I’m the same little boy who bust his shin on a rock.
I’m not lost, I ain’t mad…
I just see all the love I’ve had.

Swing low, sweet chariot…

(Take me away) sweet chariot
(I know you’re) coming for to carry me home (yeah)
(Take me home, take me out of here.)
(When are you) coming for to carry me home?

credits

from 2007: Born Again, released January 1, 2007

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all rights reserved

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Tim J Rowe image

Tim J Rowe England, UK

The honour of creating a soundtrack to moment or memory is one I hope to achieve with you somewhere here in these 13 albums. I've enjoyed living all of them. I hope you will as well. Much love.
Tim

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