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Burn the Cedar

by Helyn Rain

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about

i wrote this song in texas with the spirit of release on my mind-- the harsh and raw realness of letting go and welcoming the end of something dark and powerful.
i unleash this song into the world today, on juneteenth 2020, to remind us of the emancipation of Black americans from slavery over 150 years ago. we are still fighting this fight, demanding justice for all POC. we are far too late to the punch.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS SONG WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE NAACP

lyrics

burn the cedar, clear the fever
i pile my thoughts of you one on top the other
yeah i build you up into a pyre
i won't pretend that it ain't growing out of hand
still i, i can't seem to force my hand to strike a light
i'll stay cold and think of you all night
i can't burn it just yet

so i circle slowly, just observing
i find the balance off, this pile is so unnerving
still i find more cedar and stack it higher
every time i come to you, i leave with more fuel
i see your eyes so clearly when i close mine
i can't light a match they're too kind
i can't burn it just yet
no i can't burn you
but i know one day
this flame is gonna take us all right down to the ground
but how?
when i know old memories warp like old wood past it's prime

cut the cedar, it'll clear the fever
i pile my thoughts of you one on top the other
but i can't seem to force my hand to strike a light
i'd rather take this cold and lonely, holy night
i can't burn it just yet
no i can't burn you

so i burn the cedar, it's now or never
i can't ask for better weather
burn the cedar, it'll clear the fever
but i know someday
i know one day this flame is gonna take us all right down to the ground
how about now?
i'm gonna burn it to the ground
i'm gonna burn it all down
i'm gonna burn you
go ahead, burn me too

credits

released June 19, 2020
"Burn the Cedar" written by Helyn Rain
Recorded in Austin, TX with Grant Johnson at the Museum of Human Achievement in the Recording Apparatus, March 2020

license

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tags

about

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Helyn Rain Austin, Texas

deep solitude
+
active longing
=
the night between us

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