BLUES FOR TROY
This composition was written in memory of Troy Davis but it also is a protest to the vast injustices of the American legal system. Aside from the manner in which sentences are carried out, the vast majority of people incarcerated or put to death are people of color. In many cases, there is a rush to judgment prior to arrests where law enforcement officials shoot to kill a person suspected of a crime.
Blues for Troy focuses on one individual’s death by lethal injection in a state correctional facility. There are many reasons to believe that evidence of his innocence was by-passed and that there were many reasonable doubts about his guilt.
As of this writing, many states are reviewing their use of the death penalty in the light of DNA evidence, and the overwhelming world condemnation of this type of cruel and unusual punishment.
LYRICS
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia
You’re still on my mind
You’re still on my mind
You’re still on my mind
Those arms that reached out have killed me
No peaceful dreams, No peaceful dreams
No peace, no peace, no, no no
Please don’t forget me, Troy Davis is my name
This ain’t that sweet song, ’cause nothing is the same
Strange fruits are a-swayin’ in the southern breeze
Somethin’ more than peaches a-hangin’ in them trees
Country’s complainin’, everyone’s proclaimin’
Troy gets the blame and there’s no justice for me
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Georgia, Georgia
You heard me sigh
And you heard me cry
You’ll soon see me die
And there’s no one on earth to help me
No peaceful dreams, No peaceful dreams
No peace, no peace, no, no no
Oh Reverend Tutu, they didn’t need your call
Placed me on a gurney and wheeled me down the hall
Fluid is drippin’, the needle’s in my vein
Whole world is watchin’ behind a window pane
My eyes are closed now, I’m in repose now
No time for hope now, and there’s no justice for me
Georgia, Georgia, U. S. of A
Recorded on March 29, 2012 at Tedesco Studios in Paramus, New Jersey.
Music and Lyrics: Peter Drew
Producer/Music Director: John Hart
Associate Producer: Philip Rothman
Vocals: Charles Turner III
Guitar: John Hart
Organ: Pat Bianchi
Percussion: Carmen Intorre
Recording Engineer: Tom Tedesco
Graphics: Robbii Wessen