In volume eight of Like A Version watch artists such as Thundamentals, Bon Iver and Jinja Safari cover 14 different song | dG1fNEFDQlVfRHlZTXc
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC - THE KING, "I WAS BORN BY THE RIVER"]
00:03 [MUSIC - THE KING, "I WAS BORN BY THE RIVER"]
00:07 I was born by the river in a little tent.
00:15 Oh, just like a river, I've been running ever since.
00:21 It's been a long, long time coming.
00:26 But I know change gonna come.
00:31 Uh, yeah.
00:32 Oh, yes, it will.
00:34 I was born by the river in a small coastal town
00:38 where the smell of the strange fruit still floats around.
00:41 I was shown that tree where the fruits used to swing.
00:44 They were strung up in string slings swaying in the wind.
00:48 With blood on the water, trees whipped like the slims.
00:51 I turned away and they cringed.
00:53 Mom said, listen to them sing.
00:54 Then I heard the breeze bring the most terrible thing.
00:58 All that's changed now is that rope's the tightest ring.
01:01 Uh, change, well, it won't happen in a day.
01:04 They said eventually.
01:06 How many weeks, decades, or centuries?
01:08 Mistakes made, they can't be washed away so simply.
01:11 And symbolism's weak medicine for grievous injury.
01:15 False smiles, front and false idols hiding discrimination.
01:18 I feel good slogans, self-congratulation,
01:21 empty statements, while the hangman's ghost is still
01:24 waiting in the lockup, the paddy wagon,
01:26 12 shells on the pavement.
01:28 It's been too hard living.
01:32 But I'm afraid to die.
01:36 'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky.
01:41 It's been a long, long time coming.
01:46 But I know change gonna come.
01:50 Yeah.
01:52 Oh, yes, it will.
01:54 It's all about history, but that's the story.
01:56 And I'm trying to tell you about mine.
01:58 Still copper chases from the bank and my brother
02:00 taken by swine, with the biggest gang in the country,
02:03 the ones that pack the glock nine,
02:04 and them guns be with them gun geeks who
02:06 say they're here to stop crime.
02:08 Now, ain't that ironic?
02:09 No, Milanas, but you ought to know the truth.
02:11 The Queen was boss when they stole us.
02:13 The kings cross and they shoot.
02:14 Surrounded by the abuse.
02:16 Let me tell you what I'mma do.
02:18 I'mma rap for all of my youth, with a big F-U to the boys
02:20 in blue they picked the wrong time.
02:23 Go to the movies, and I'll go downtown.
02:29 Somebody keep telling me, go hang around.
02:34 It's been a long, long time coming.
02:40 But I know change gonna come.
02:45 Oh, yes, it will.
02:48 We thought the war was over, but no, we have to fight more.
02:51 We got the right to vote, but I don't see no one to vote for.
02:55 Devoted to the cause, I live for everything I die for.
02:58 Here at my shoes, take a walk, try to understand
03:01 my life and my dreaming.
03:03 The government is scheming.
03:05 Oops, I mean they intervening.
03:07 Wonderland, why we leaving?
03:09 But we ain't leaving.
03:10 These words are my last stand.
03:12 The past can't be changed, but the future can.
03:15 The future can.
03:16 The future can.
03:17 The future can.
03:17 The future can.
03:18 The future can.
03:19 The future can.
03:20 Soon I'll go to my brother.
03:24 I'll say, brother, help me please.
03:29 But it winds up knocking me back down on my knees.
03:41 First off, I'm going to change the flag.
03:43 Southern Cross, leave that.
03:45 Exchange the Union Jack for that red, yellow, and black.
03:48 Sick and tired of waiting for change,
03:50 so I'm making a change today.
03:51 And I beg that my people are begging
03:52 and they're beginning, OK?
03:54 Long time.
03:55 Long time.
03:56 Too long if you ask me.
03:57 Said a change gonna come.
03:59 Long gone.
04:00 Long gone.
04:00 Has been.
04:01 Only way to move on is to get along.
04:03 You better not get it wrong.
04:04 'Cause after it all, I'll be your one under the sun.
04:07 I'm done.
04:08 Now there's been times when I thought I could last for long.
04:14 But now I think I'm able to carry on.
04:21 It's been a long, a long time coming.
04:26 And oh, change gonna come.
04:31 Oh, yes, it will.
04:35 (dramatic music)
04:38 [MUSIC PLAYING]