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I Would Rather Run

from Downer by Bet Smith

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about

If we don’t act faster on climate change, the ramifications will be unfathomable. They are already terrible, but they will be more widespread and worse. Everybody knows this.

We will see enormous populations experiencing hunger, poverty and homelessness. Mass migration. War. Death.

This song portrays an imagined dystopian future in which a couple who have built a life of self-sufficiency are faced with the impending onslaught of desperate people seeking food and refuge. They must decide whether to stay and protect that life and their small piece of fertile land, or to surrender and avoid conflict.

I think this story could be understood plainly, or as an analogy for something greater. We already see wealthy countries attempting to control and slow the migration of refugees. We see conflict within democratic nations like Canada over our level of responsibility to help those in need. We see nationalism and protectionism and racism surfacing here, as people elsewhere suffer, through no fault of their own.

Climate action now.

lyrics

Please don’t buy a gun, you want to stay ahead of the situation
But I don’t want to fight, I would rather run
You said the time would come but I can’t believe we’re having this conversation
I don’t want to fight, I would rather run

How do you suppose we’ll separate friend from foe?
When they’re breaking down your gate, I don’t know
And all the little children conceived after the fires started
Are these babies our enemies?

Please don’t buy a gun, aren’t you exaggerating the situation
I don’t want to fight, I would rather run
You said the time would come but I can’t believe we’re having this conversation
I don’t want to fight, I would rather run

Our little garden is an unguarded bank truck
Our plot of land is a sitting duck
What if our little garden is a sacred site?
All of a sudden it is Mecca, it is the holy land.
Our little garden took years to turn into something
we broke our backs in preparation and now we’re here
Our little garden could draw thousands once the word gets out
And you can’t sleep through all the fear


Please don’t buy a gun, I know you want to stay ahead of the situation
But I don’t want to fight, I would rather run
You said the time would come but I can’t believe we’re having this conversation
I don’t want to fight, I would rather run

credits

from Downer, released February 2, 2021
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Bass: Bet Smith
Electric Guitar: Rob Currie
Drums: Andrew Currie

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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