Three years ago Melanie DeMore was the keynote speaker at the CMN annual conference. Her work is amazing to me: the songs, her voice, and her ongoing cultural work in a number of venues. The talk was inspiring, and I learned a lot.
I was reviewing my notes from the keynote, and came across this phrase, a question she asked, which became this song. In our current political climate, the question seems particularly important. As I was recording this I kept thinking of Mick Milvaney, for some odd reason. How do people around our abhorrent president keep saying things that must compromise their sense of self? What do they tell themselves? And how do we move beyond simply moral or ethical prompts and connect to how things feel in our souls and bodies?
And none of us are immune to lies, denial, obfuscation, and bad speech.
So here’s a song for all of us.
How Do Those Words Taste in Your Mouth?
The ocean is rising and the planet’s on fire
But you’re proud of your part as a climate denier.
Your obfuscation makes science a hoax
As you preach from the pocket of the fossil fuel folks.
How do those words taste in your mouth
When they’re being said, when they’re coming out
Whether you lecture or mutter or shout
How do those words taste in your mouth?
You march with your swastikas dangling a noose
Carrying torches and years of abuse
Bellowing slogans to drown out debate
But I hear your voices dripping with hate.
How do those words taste in your mouth
When they’re being said, when they’re coming out
Whether you chant or you sing or you spout.
How do those words taste in your mouth?
You make up figures and you make up facts
Weaving a trail that leads us off track.
Is it delusion or simple deceit
That tramples the truth under our feet?
How do those words taste in your mouth?
When you don’t even know what you’re talking about.
Whether you babble or prattle or pout
How do those words taste in your mouth?
I have been quiet when names have been called.
I’ve taken comfort from privilege and walls.
But the planet is boiling and so is my blood
What do you do in the face of a flood?
How does silence taste in your mouth?
When you’ve got the words but you won’t let them out.
Call it distraction, denial or doubt.
How does silence taste in your mouth?
© Stuart Stotts 2019
I can’t think of a more apt word than “pout” nor a more appropriate closing verse. Your song certainly reflects Melanie’s message. I hope it finds its way into many more mouths. Well done, Stuart.
P.S., I’m thinking of our current leadership who pouts, not you! ?
Brilliant!
You had me at “obfuscation.” Thoughtful and urgent, yet another of your fine examples of singing for the common good…in this instance, singing for the good of our souls and planet as well.
I’m blown away yet again. Keep writing. Keep singing. Keep being Stuart, please!