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Forgive You

from Downer by Bet Smith

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about

This song began as a chorus to what might have become a very convoluted love song. I decided it had to be something else, something bigger. I re-wrote the song several times before I came up with the final version.

For me, it's a song about economic injustice, greed, environmental destruction and the climate crisis. But the song remains open to interpretation – to mean something different to each listener.
I recognize that I, as a white person living in a wealthy country, have benefited from a system that has oppressed others. My personal grievances and hurts are minor in comparison to everything else that is happening in the world.

I offer this song with respect and in solidarity with all who experience discrimination, injustice, and oppression.

lyrics

I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you but
You say you ain’t done nothing wrong, you ain’t done nothing

You’ve been hanging flowers around your apartment
For so many years you don’t recall why you started
But now you can’t ignore the stench
Coming up through the floor

And you fear we’re gonna knock it down
Every rafter, every rotten board
So you keep planting roses hoping
We don’t notice

I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you but
You say you ain’t done nothing wrong, you ain’t done nothing

This is just the way that you were raised
A heavy hand and a deep faith
Everybody makes mistakes and you’re not
Sorry for anything

You only want what’s due to you
Your family earned the revenue
And when it came time, with pride you
Stepped into your father’s shoes

I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you but
You say you ain’t done nothing wrong, you ain’t done nothing

The untold truths of history are
Crashing down, but you don’t want to see it
Beneficiary, oh boy, did you get lucky

Won’t you give up some of that power?
Why don’t you give us some of that power?

I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you but
You say you ain’t done nothing wrong, you ain’t done nothing

I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you, I want to forgive you but
You say you ain’t done nothing wrong, you ain’t done nothing

credits

from Downer, track released January 2, 2020
Bet Smith: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keys
Rob Currie: Electric Guitar, Bass
Andrew Currie: Drums

Recorded and mixed by Rob Currie
Mastered by João Carvalho
Written by Bet Smith (Ashlea-Elizabeth Smith, SOCAN)
© Bet Smith (Ashlea-Elizabeth Smith) Pine Lake Records

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Bet Smith Gravenhurst, Ontario

Bet Smith is a Canadian alternative folk singer-songwriter who weaves environmental and socio-political philosophy into rich, reflective compositions. With a voice that is gentle and familiar, Smith offers elegant melodies locked to lyrics that are paced and precise. ... more

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