"Warrior's Lullaby" and "Crying Bones": Shy-Anne Sings the Truth

 

A friend recently sent me links to the music of Shy-Anne Hovorka.  She is an “award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian and perfomer…   Shy-Anne holds, an “Honours Bachelor of Music” and “Bachelor of Education” and her “Masters of Education” Degree. When Shy-Anne is not touring as a solo, band or symphony act, she is a highly regarded school teacher, who works with youth in her community to help them improve their lives through music and continues the important tradition of teaching the Ojibwe Language, or out on the land reconnecting with the Earth.” (https://shy-anne.com/)

 

Shy-Anne Hovorka (https://shy-anne.com)

These two songs are part of a larger project that combines artwork with music.  Hovorka partnered with different artists for each song adding to the original image which emerges throughout the video.  Both of these songs are about the children whose unmarked remains were recently found on the grounds of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.  Shy-Anne sings the truth in a powerful way and her music combined with the emerging artwork is sure to touch the hearts and minds of those who witness this collaboration.

This first song, Warrior’s Lullaby is illustrated by artist Sonya Belisle.  Here are the lyrics:

Warrior's Lullaby "  by Shy-Anne Hovorka

Tiny hands, Tiny souls

Tiny lives that live no more

Your body’s gone, but your spirit flies

Creator has you by his side

Your flesh and blood, they became the trees,

Your bones buried are now free,

From where they laid in secret tombs,

Stolen from your mothers wombs.

Warriors,

Some survived, still walk this land

their bodies still carry the brand

The heat and fire that killed the mind

And their lives before still trying to find

You’ve lived your life, with fear and pain,

You hid your tears in the rain,

You wear the scars of life now lost,

Carrying this heavy cross...

Warriors Creator is waiting in the sky….

Creator’s been standing by your side….

 

You can view it here:

 

 

The second song, Crying Bones was illustrated by artist Vanessa Willow Giiniw-Ikwe.  Here are the lyrics:

 Crying Bones by Shy-Anne Hovorka

 Tried to hide the evidence of shame below the ground

Tiny little bodies tell the story now that their found,

Voices of the past have risen from the grave,

All their tiny souls are no longer enslaved

 

Chorus: Crying Bones Crying Bones

You’re not alone Crying Bones

 

Can’t deny the truth, or deny the words being told,

History has proven what memories of others hold,

Try to say you’re sorry now that the truth is out,

But the story is much bigger than what this song is about

History keeps showing us how we’ve been tried

Tortured, slaved, and punished and told many lies

Forced assimilation from the government still proceeds

Now you are faced with consequences of your deeds….

 

 You can view it here: