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Ready to be Brave

by Jeffery Straker

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Ralph Wushke
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James Gerlinsky
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TrippyTiger
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about

What it's about:
One of the hardest things to do is sitting down and talking through our differences with other people. And it feels like we’re seeing differences and divisions around us more than ever that aren’t getting resolved but instead are lingering and growing. Whether it’s a rift between family members, lovers, co-workers or rooted in politics, religion etc, divisions can only be bridged by waving a white flag, sitting down and talking face to face. We all know that the solution is literally that simple but it’s tough to do. It requires vulnerability and bravery. Over time if the tiny cracks are left unattended they turn into much bigger divides. What gets in the way of trying to understand each other? What prevents conversations of reconciliation?

Origins of the song:
This song idea came to me while going through photos of a summer when I was artist-in-residence at a camp for LGBTQ2+ young people in Saskatchewan. I was there using songwriting as a way to help campers express what they needed to say. So many of their stories were about their coming out (or wanting to come out) at such a young age. There was bravery and vulnerability in those stories of revealing themselves, but there was also a lot of ‘rejection’ coupled with a need to belong. Of course I drew parallels to my own coming out. The song speaks to the broader theme of reconciling differences between people with differing views - we’re seeing so much of this around us in the world today.

lyrics

READY TO BE BRAVE

It’s been so long I can’t remember why
We started building these walls between
I fear we’re getting used to these old wounds
While waiting on the reckoning
I keep telling myself we can talk it through
Silence is our battleground
Call the cavalry or call the truth
Honesty is where freedom is found

CHORUS:
It’s a white flag I raise
Cry tears from a broken soul
Surrender all inside of me
I’m ready to be brave, I’m ready to be brave

I thought of walking away at least a thousand times
But that kind of walking is for the weak
Forgive and forget are but two little words
I have faith we can teach ourselves to speak

CHORUS

I’ve tried making believe this aint weighing on me
But burden wears no mask
There’s a ghost in my heart fumbling round in the dark
Tripping on the broken glass

CHORUS

Jeffery Straker © 2020

credits

released February 18, 2021
Music and Lyrics - Jeffery Straker
Production - Russell Broom
Recorded at: The Broom Closet (Calgary AB) and OCL Studios (Langdon, Alberta)
Mastering: Brock McFarlane at CPS Mastering (Vancouver BC)
Jeffery vocals, piano, backing vocals Russell Broom acoustic guitars, banjo, dobro Adam Dowling drums Kurt Ciesla bass Denis Defresne violin and viola
Single Artwork: Mary Beth MacLean

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Jeffery Straker

Jeffery is a Canadian singer-songwriter-pianist (folk-roots) touring 100+ shows yearly. He performs in theatres, clubs, living rooms & at festivals. He's also performed his music in concert with symphony orchestras.
-Western Canadian Music Awards (2019)-Winner
-Roots-Folk Artist of the Year/Saskatchewan Music Awards (2020) ... more

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