"Build a House"

[minoanmiss]

Watch on YouTube

https://rhiannongiddens.com/build-a-house

https://www.riseupsinging.org/songs/build-house

Lyrics

You brought me here to build your house, build your house, build your house
You brought me here to build your house and grow your garden fine

I laid the brick and built your house, built your house, built your house
I laid the brick and built your house, raised the plants so high

And when you had the house and land, the house and land, the house and land
And when you had the house and land, then you told me “go.”

I found a place to build my house, build my house, build my house
I found a place to build my house since I couldn’t go back home

You said I couldn’t build a house, build a house, build a house
You said I couldn’t build a house, so you burned it down

So then I traveled far and wide, far and wide, far and wide
And then I traveled far and wide until I found a home

I learned your words and wrote a song, wrote a song, wrote a song
I learned your words and wrote a song to put my story down

But then you came and took my song, took my song, took my song
But then you came and took my song, playing it for your own

I took my bucket, lowered it down, lowered it down, lowered it down
I took my bucket, lowered it down, the well will never run dry.

You brought me here to build a house, build a house, build a house
You brought me here to build a house. I will not be moved.

No, I will not be moved. No, I will not be, I will not be, I will not be moved.

–lyrics & music by Rhiannon Giddens (c) 2020 author. All rights reserved.



This is such a marvelous song, decptively simple-seeming, so complex and full of reference and meaning underneath, and if I didn't know the amazing Rhiannon Giddens wrote it I'd think it was by Trad.

There are people I wish I could share this song with whom I can't and I am so glad I can share it with you.

Comments

[sage]

Gave me chills. Thank you so much for sharing it!

[kore]

She's so fantastic.

[acelightning2]

I'm trying not to steal your songs. And trying to give credit where it's due for all that building and farming. And apologize for telling you my God said your gods were devils. And trying to appreciate the unique beauties you have given this nation.

[radiantfracture]

That's fantastic.

[lunabee34]

I love this song.

[lynnenne]

So powerful! Thank you for sharing this.

[sovay]

There are people I wish I could share this song with whom I can't and I am so glad I can share it with you.

*hugs*

I had not seen the picture book. Thank you.

[elainegrey]

Thank you.