From the recording Singles
I saw disturbing footage of civilian contractors detaining migrants seeking asylum. https://www.npr.org/2020/08/20/904027735/shadow-immigration-system-migrant-children-detained-in-hotels-by-private-contrac
In contrast, I've seen the "No importa" signs in yards in Oregon and Colorado, but they started at Immanuel Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In three languages, and sometimes more, they say no matter where you're from, we're glad you're our neighbor.
Lyrics
Poverty's a push factor
Sweatshop wages, ruthless actors
Cartel threat there is no hope resisting
La tienda's windows sealed
Intermittent battlefields
Yesterday the neighbor's niece went missing
Hear the empire hissing
No importa
De donde eres
Forest as commodity
Industry's ferocity
Aid and debt illicit lovers kissing
Meals are sometimes hard to come by
Doctors tend to only drive by
Missionaries sing a fading blessing
Hear the empire hissing
Land that's nearly paradise
Caught in a strategic vice
Never seen a time like this we're witnessing
Grow local economies
Fewer folks will want to leave
Deep calls unto deep. Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Estamos contentos
Que seas nuestro vecino
Like the ancient hordes of Vandals
Castoff Nike shorts and sandals
Pull upon the caravan's increasing
Bureaucratic stealth outrages
Locking migrant kids in cages
Someday soon there'll be no more dismissing
Hear the empire hissing
Land that's nearly paradise
Caught in a strategic vice
Never seen a time like this we're witnessing
Grow local economies
Fewer folks will want to leave
Deep calls unto deep. Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
No importa
De donde eres
Estamos contentos
Que seas nuestro vecino
Are you listening?
©2020 Dave Nealon
Spanish lyrics composed by members of Immanuel Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, VA. Registered with Creative Commons. Used with permission.