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"Vyry's Song" by Rashida Oji

from "Big​,​Big Woman" by Regina Wells Rashida Oji

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about

This song is the story of Margaret Walker's novel "Jubilee". I have always been and empathic reader. When I read stories about slavery, I feel myself there in that time, heart pounding, the stuck swallow of a dry throat. I run when the slave in the story runs, hide - holding my breath as they do, endure the lash, hush when the slave hushes. Somehow, my songwriting is born of a need to shake off the trauma and create a better ending to the story. Novels like "Jubilee" touch me deeply and I must pour forth song/prayer in order to move from the pages and the journey I've been on in the reading, into an empowered presence.

lyrics

No matter what you can always rely on me. No matter what you can rely on me. I'll do your washin' and your scrubbin', yes I'll cook your food. No matter what you can rely on me.

I am a woman you've noticed of a very strange kind. I am a woman of your word it's true. You've got them papers on me, so I can never git free.
No matter what you can rely on me.

My Mama had me, had my sister and my brother for you. She did not want you but you robbed her soul. You is my father, the devil and my massa three. No matter what you can rely on me.

One day I tried to run. I tried to get away from here when the moon was hangin' in the night. but then you caught me. 75 lashes nearly took my life. No matter what you can rely on me.

No matter what you can always rely on me. No matter what you can rely on me. I'm just a prayin' for a Moses come and set us free. No matter what you can rely on me.

You preached a sermon for the lot of us, massa and slaves before you hung and put two women in their graves. You say you own us and your god had willed it be. No matter what you can rely on me.

Now I can see you women's here ya think doin' fine. Some won't take men to be their fair and true. You won't scrub their floors or even cook they food. No matter what they can't depend on me.

No matter what I can always depend on me. No matter what I can depend on you. We'll run this world or die in hell before these Massa's is through. No matter what I can depend on you.

credits

from "Big​,​Big Woman", released February 3, 2017
Lyrics, Music and Voice: Regina Wells Rashida Oji

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Regina Wells Rashida Oji Oakland, California

In November 1989 the artist Rashida Oji moved from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA seeking fame as a folk/rock singer/songwriter. "Continue The Journey" contains the message and healing balm of a performer turned
priestess. Now also known by her given name, Regina Wells, teaches mind/body awareness via the principles of Rosen Method Movement and Bodywork, working in private and in Addiction Medicine ... more

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