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UNSHACKLED

by MORLEY

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rhondahoskins
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rhondahoskins Hi Morley,
I am a seminary student with McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Thank you for such a beautiful song. I am using it in my presentation on Women in Prison with Babies.
jojrosanna
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Liz B.
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dkionisadiki
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about

❤️100% of all proceeds go to http://www.correctionalassociation.org❤️

Thank you Toshi Reagon (www.toshireagon.com) for connecting me with the Correctional Association of New York and for making the recording of this song possible.

Here are the lyrics compiled by testimonials of women on the "inside" and those working on the "outside" everyday for justice and dignity.

This song address the shackling of women in prison during childbirth, it is against the law. Toshi Reagon joins me on chorus, may this song be one of the many documentations of human rights violation of the PAST.

lyrics

LYRICS:

From Congo square in new orleans to detention centers in Jamaica queens
anyone who looks can see its the same gang cashing in on our misery
still there is turning away
So much turning away

every night little one says a prayer
for his mom to come home
he will go with a family that will take him
but it will never be his own

mom lives behind looked doors, thick walls
barbed wires through
hidden from the fresh falling rain
and the healing light of the moon

in jail when her water broke
in labor in chains

her waist was shackled
hands were cuffed
armed officer in the room
has to get paid

in 2009 the Correctional Association lead the effort for non shackling
5 year study 23 out of 27 women were shackled In labor and delivery

laws were passed but forgot fast
people were patting themselves on the back
for doing a right and human act

Still there's turning away
So much turning away

blessed are the warriors for justice
Rising up for dignity everyday
pushing uphill like flowers to the sun
For them there is no turning away

unbreakable line
unshakable truth
a mothers love
is her child’s roots
holy love shining through
unshackled and beautiful

when i ask you why you doing this work
u say its the women who inspire me
To find a way out of no way

in the midst of racist
dehumanization manipulation, scare tactics, & pain
these women rise with revolutionary love

experts of their own lives,
Parenting every way they can
Recording themselves reading lullabies to send
doing homework over the phone w their children

For them there is no turning away
So For us there is no turning away

unbreakable line
unshakable truth
a mothers love
is her child’s roots
holy love shining through
unshackled and beautiful

there's a light that shines forever
between every mother and child
delivered in or out of freedom
delivered in this wild

it is written in the thunder
in the lighting and the stars
this love is a hurricane
nothing can keep behind bars

credits

released October 28, 2014
morley on guitar and vocals
toshi reagon backing vocal
recorded @ www.thebunkerstudio.com

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MORLEY New York, New York

Morley weaves the threads of jazz, soul and folk traditions into a singular tapestry of vocal and acoustic splendor. Her latest release, Story of the Sky is her debut Family/Children's album with partner, Chris Bruce, Story Of the Sky features an array of brilliant guest artists. ... more

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