Eric Ian Farmer

Recorded July 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania at WPSU in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross WPSU Production Studio.  The Local Groove Presents performance features Andrew Jackson (congas), Denise Strayer (accordion), Elizabeth Webb (vocals), Josh Troup (drums), Mare Cleary (vocals), and Mickey Klein (electric bass).  

Songs written by Eric Ian Farmer except Fall Right In written by Eric Ian Farmer and Gary Johnson, and Show Me the Way (featured below) written by Eric Ian Farmer and Tim Lukaszewski.

Set list
BROTHER TO BROTHER (starts at 1:00)
Lyrics:
I don't believe it's a secret
that I did not survive,
and I am aware
that you were kept alive.
I know why you wear
that mark on your head
and I understand why you're not dead.
Cain...Cain...

That curse that's been laid on you,
recognize that it hurts me too!
Cain, this is Abel!
I've been trying to reach you!

Did you know
that I forgive you? 

GROWIN' UP GRIOT (starts at 6:30)
Lyrics:
I was born back before there was
enough light
to go around
We made do in the dark
without smartphones
You can't imagine how we got down

Where were you back when the miracles
were being bestowed?
You must have been
in the other room
when They brewed
the first taste of hope

I've been reminded
that this water
is the same
water that blessed the sweet lips of
Jesus, Buddha, Muhammed,
even the first humans

I'm the keeper of words
buried deep in my bosom
some I'm scared to tell,
the Rise and Fall...,
Heaven and Hell
do you wish to hear?
I'm the griot 

ATTEMPTED GENOCIDE (starts at 12:23)
Lyrics:
Anishanaabeg struggle to protect their rights to wild rice
from the state of Minnesota and the strength of California
trying to preserve their rights and their traditions
Would you classify this as attempted genocide?
Onondaga nation prepares for litigation
versus the state of New York
over sovereignty water rights and corruption
They're prepared to sue to the state for land illegally gotten
over 200 years ago
Would you classify this as attempted genocide?
How can I be free when we did not feed, when would not feed our children in Zimbabwe?
How can you take anymore after the American War in Vietnam, Rwanda, Wounded Knee?
How can I be free when we did not feed, when would not feed our children in Yemen?
How can you take anymore after so much war?  Would you classify this as attempted genocide?
How can I be free when we did not feed, when would not feed our children?
How can you take anymore after so much war?

LOVE THING, PART 2 (starts at 15:36)
Lyrics:
Chorus
What will I tell you
when you arrive?
So many days I've thought of you
Some of them I've cried

What will your smile be like?
Probably like my mother's
What will your eyes be like?
Probably like no other's

CHORUS

as I imagine your smile
I imagine your tears
I imagine mine
how they died with my fear (2x)

You'll be more than me
I know
Into a family tree
we will grow
with autumn leaves of joy
falling down
giving back to the world
around

I know what I'll tell you
when you arrive?
So many days I've thought of you
Some of them I've cried
I'll just say, “Thank you.  Ohh, thank you.”

FALL RIGHT IN (starts at 21:07)
Lyrics:
Open your heart, please
and speak to me
I cannot read your mind
expect on Tuesdays,
but Love this weekend you've been so so hard to find

CHORUS
When will you soften your heart?
When will you spread your arms
and let me fall, let me fall right in?

Resisting unspoken advances
I'm hoping a dance in the kitchen
just like we used to
might remind you
that I need no proof
to stay in love with you

“Lean on Me” featuring Denise Strayer (accordion) @ Kirtan Fest, Boalsburg PA 2022

AND

“You'll Never Find Me Where You Look for Me” featuring Josh Troup (drums) and Mickey Klein (electric bass) from the live album recording of Journey of a Love So Strong in State College, Pennsylvania in The Attic at The State Theatre

LYRICS

You'll never find me where you look for me  
I'm searching for a path I've never known  
The rhythm that I dance to plays just for me  
If you listen closely, you have a drummer of your own 

There might be times  
you're tempted to make assumptions  
about the human  
you think I am  
but I can say for sure... 

I've been changed  
and I'm gonna change again,  
so I take no refuge  
in that pigeon hole you put me in 

Do you know how your love feels?  
Do you know the sound of your own heart?  
Cuz if you don't...