From the recording Evolution
Lyrics
Sing People Sing
© 2014 Pat Humphries and Sandy O
Moving Forward Music, BMI
https://www.emmasrevolution.com
When I was 4 I had a toy, made of plastic and of joy
A magic, musical machine from a drum, a stick and strings
I couldn’t know as I would play, I’d live to meet the man one day
Playing songs that shaped my life and taught the world to sing
Chorus: Oh, hear the banjo ring, hear the people sing
Hope changes everything, sing people sing
The summer of my 18th year, in San Francisco he’d appear
I jumped onto a trolley car, alone and wondering
The “grove” was full when I got there, people came from everywhere
I climbed a redwood by the stage to watch the reveling
Years went by I got a call, a festival in early Fall
Along the Hudson River shore, a harvest gathering
Asking me to volunteer to keep the river clean and clear
To celebrate the river’s life and all the gifts she brings
Bridge: You stood up to McCarthy’s rage, rallied for a living wage
Rode with Woody, marched with Dr. King
You patiently brought us along, taught us each and every song
With Toshi by your side you could do most anything
You showed us how the world could be, living with integrity
Together we create a force beyond imagining
As I observed your dimming light, I felt a spark in me ignite
But I would trade it all today to hear your banjo ring
Pat Humphries, vocal, banjo
Sandy O, vocal, guitar
Gary Johnson, accordion
Charlie Pilzer, acoustic bass
Produced: Charlie Pilzer (Airshow, Takoma Park MD) with Emma’s Revolution
Mixed & Mastered: Charlie Pilzer (Airshow, Takoma Park MD)
Remastered: Charlie Pilzer (Tonal Park, Takoma Park MD)