our native daughters “i knew i could Fly”
from: songs of our native daughters, smithsonian Folkways,2019
“I didn’t know why
I knew I could fly
I knew I could fly
You see what you see
You think you see me
You think you see me
You think you see me
I follow the stars
I carry my scars
I carry my scars
I know what I hear
I won’t live in fear
I won’t live in fear
I won’t live in fear
I sit by the stream
I’m counting my dreams
I’m counting my dreams
My face to the sun
My battle half-won
My battle half-won
My battle half-won
My battle half-won”
This superlative commingling of talent enlarges our shared heritage. Each have blossomed solos careers, but their single collective effort is well supplied with freedom songs. “I Knew I Could Fly” is a record of unfinished business still mingled with accomplishment. The worn path being the road if trod well.
Leyla McCalla
Allison Russell
Amythyst Kiah
Rhiannon Giddens