Name: Mr. President
Duration: P00H04M25S
Description: All of us, even the icons, have flaws. The point isn’t to deify one or the other, but to celebrate them as a symbol of who and what we strive to be. Under the best circumstances, our President would emulate these greats, but we do not live in such a time. As a result, we must imagine what it would look like and SING it into being.

Mr. President

by Kana Mota

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more

about

All of us, even the icons, have flaws. The point isn’t to deify one or the other, but to celebrate them as a symbol of who and what we strive to be. Under the best circumstances, our President would emulate these greats, but we do not live in such a time. As a result, we must imagine what it would look like and SING it into being.

lyrics

Mr. President
If you’re listening
My words are going to sting
With truth
But a
Man who wants to reign
Through forceful, brutal ways
Won’t do
So you’re through
But there’s a precedent
The few who could not be swayed
Strong, benevolent
They knew the truth would rise up one day:

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Mother Theresa
A light to guide your soul
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Like young Malala
And turn your lead to gold

Mr. President
Your lies cannot prevent
The past from catching up
With you
Because a
Man who serves himself
In search of fame and wealth
Is doomed
And you’re proof
Is it not evident?
A life of greed will end in shame
Don’t be so hesitant
To surrender
And remember
Their names:

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Mother Theresa
A light to guide your soul
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Like young Malala
And turn your lead to gold

They had a dream
To march and sing
To heal and guide
This troubled tribe
They had a dream
Of man redeemed
Of humankind
Awake, aligned

So Mr. President,
A heart on fire cannot be slain
When love is militant,
We’re courageous
Like the sages
And the saints:

Mandela
Marley and Fela
Monks in Lhasa
Mother Theresa
Sojourner Truth
A light to guide your soul
Berta Caceras
With love we can be
Like King or Gandhi
Belafonte
Like young Malala
Young Sahaaleh too
And turn your lead to gold
John Brown and Baldwin
Mandela
Rosa and Leymah
Kochiyama
Tubman and Hamer
Chavez and Jara too
A life so brave and bold
Lennon and Wonder
Stand up for justice
Stand up for Life
Like Frederick Douglass
Standing like a fortress
Red Cloud, Tecumseh
Standing like a guiding light
From there a seed can grow
And thrive inside your soul
One day

credits

released September 15, 2020
Written by: Kana Mota
Produced by: Chris Manning & Eric Chaffin

Kana Mota is:
Lead Vocal: April Ryan-Grisman
Bass Guitar: Chris Manning, vocals
Guitars: Eric Chaffin, vocals
Guitars: Monroe Grisman, vocals

Additional musicians:
Drums: Lex Razon
Organ: John Varn
Percussion: Juan Escovido
Trumpet and Trombone: Rich Armstrong
Saxophone: Steve Steinberg

Mixed by: Chris Manning
Mastered by: Mike Fuller

special thanks to: Michael James, Jim Fox & Ken Lee