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Turn Toward the Sun

from Satchel of Songs by Diane Patterson

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about

This is a new version of a song released May 31, 2019 with cover art by Lindy Kehoe.
On this recording, for the new CD entitled Satchel of Songs, co-produced by Patterson and Roman Morykit, Mike Napolitano recorded Diane's vocals and guitar, and Roman Morykit recorded his own electric guitars and fretless bass at his Sanctuary Studios.

lyrics

Turn Toward The Sun

There are footprints of ancestors falling all around
Turn toward the sun, remember who you are
Turn toward the sun, remember who you are

Let me tell you how I know, let this story here be told
Of when the buffalo came to save us all from DAPL
The vision had been seen by the protector, Geraldine
Ancestors would bring the old ones back
Great Tatanka’s gone so long their genocide is still a song
Of sorrow on the land where the great herds ran

But now the people gathered strong to face Dakota Access Pipeline on
The Standing Rock Lakota Reservation
Tribes came in from all around and peacefully, stood their ground
DAPL’s war machine could not cut them down
Corporate government chose not to help, but thousands came and risked themselves
To save the water for all sons and daughters

Tensions rose, and so I’m told, when winter fell on young and old
The confluence of waters there had not been spared
White Buffalo Calf Woman heard the prayer, and in the vision she looked over where
The people stood by day to protect the water
It was there, the sacrifice was made that first time the bison came,
One small herd running to stop the pipeline
But later in the winter, let it be known and remembered
Buffalo broke the fence and ran to Oceti camp

They were 30, 40 strong that day. The buffalo took the heat, they say
And I’m sorry to repeat, but they got shot
They laid down their lives, and many got shot!
They said, “Look here, you hired gun, We know this war’s an unjust one,
Take us instead, our blood is just as RED!!”

Thank you, noble buffalo, and thanks, courageous protectors
May you always stand up for what you know
And as for sister Geraldine, descendant of Sitting Bull, believe me,
She won’t forget the water or the vision she has seen
She won’t forget the buffalo or the sacrifice they bring
She says, Turn toward the sun, remember who you are
She says, Turn toward the water, remember who you are
credits

credits

from Satchel of Songs, track released March 8, 2022
Turn Toward the Sun
Diane, guitar, voice
Roman Morykit, guitars, bass

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Diane Patterson Ashland, Oregon

Folkgoddess Diane Patterson sings the world awake with powerful voice and revolutionary lyrics. Her sincere spirit and roots storytelling plant seeds of respect and justice. She’s fueled by music-as-activism and love-as-revolution. Made in New Orleans, Diane’s new 2018 album features Mike Napolitano and Ani DiFranco. ... more

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