BENEFIT CONCERT

for

Woolman Semester

and

Peace and Justice Center of Nevada County

ABOUT EMMA’S REVOLUTION

With hauntingly beautiful harmonies and powerful acoustic instrumentals that deliver the energy and strength of their convictions, emma’s revolution writes songs that become traditions.  “Peace, Salaam, Shalom” is sung around the world and has been called the “anthem of the anti-war movement.”   Their song, “If I Give Your Name”won Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and their music has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and Pacifica’s “Democracy Now!”

emma’s revolution has traveled around the world from Canada, Chile, Korea, Scotland, England, Israel/Palestine, Nicaragua and Cuba and throughout the US spreading their message of peace and justice.  As a duo, they’ve performed at hundreds of peace and justice events over the last eight years and over a 30 year period, Pat’s numbers reach into the thousands.  In the spirit of Emma Goldman’s famous attribution, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution,” emma’s revolution brings their uprising of truth, hope and a dash of healthy irreverence to concerts and peace & justice events around the world.

Their CD “roots, rock & revolution” has been called “inspiring, gutsy & rockin’!”  emma’s revolution is also currently touring in support of their new CD “We Came To Sing!”, a collaborative with the legendary activist singer Holly Near.

Submitted to Sierra Voices by Kathy Runyan, Advancement Director, The Woolman Semester.

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Editor’s Addition:

Here are a couple of beautiful examples of their work that I found by searching YouTube:

First, Pat Humphries and Sandy O perform “Drivin’ 5 to the Polls:”

And finally, this treat: A simple and moving rendition of Pat Humphries’ song, “Swimming to the Other Side,” sung by the G-E-T Middle School 8th Grades (with lyrics attached below):

ARTIST: Pat Humphries
TITLE: Swimming to the Other Side
Lyrics

{Refrain}
We are living 'neath the great Big Dipper
We are washed by the very same rain
We are swimming in the stream together
Some in power and some in pain
We can worship this ground we walk on
Cherishing the beings that we live beside
Loving spirits will live forever
We're all swimming to the other side

I am alone, and I am searching
Hungering for answers in my time
I am balanced at the brink of wisdom
I'm impatient to receive a sign
I move forward with my senses open
Imperfection, it be my crime
In humility I will listen
We're all swimming to the other side 

{Refrain}

On this journey through thoughts and feelings
Binding intuition, my head, my heart
I am gathering the tools together
I'm preparing to do my part
All of those who have come before me
Band together and be my guide
Loving lessons that I will follow
We're all swimming to the other side 

{Refrain}

When we get there we'll discover
All of the gifts we've been given to share
Have been with us since life's beginning
And we never noticed they were there
We can balance at the brink of wisdom
Never recognizing that we've arrived
Loving spirits will live together
We're all swimming to the other side 

{Refrain}