We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Anthems For Change

by Kimwei

/
1.
The Stars Are For Everyone (land rights / Dartmoor) Date Written 18/02/2023 For the right to wild camp righttoroam.org.uk CHORUS 1 The stars are for everyone For the lost and the found, We have found solid ground. The stars are for everyone. Let the sky sing a song Telling us we belong. The right to roam is our right. We are under the same stars tonight. VERSE 1 Well is this your countryside? Is this your land? You tell me it’s your property And that I’m not allowed But please be kind We are under the same stars tonight The right to roam is my right We are under the same stars tonight CHORUS 2 VERSE 2 Well I do not own anything - No penny to my name. This land does not belong to me But I belong to every blade of grass And you’ll find We are under the same stars tonight. The right to roam is my right. We are under the same stars tonight. CHORUS 3 CHORUS 4 (We belong) The stars are for everyone We belong, we belong, we belong (repeat as needed) And the right to roam is our right We are under the same stars tonight
2.
Rebel For Life (protest / revolution / change) VERSE 1 Everything will change Are you ready to be the change? Everything can change Are you ready to be the change? Everyone will change Are you ready to be the change? Everyone can change Are you ready to be the change? And.. CHORUS 1 Be a rebel, rebel, rebel Rebel for life. Stand up for the birds and the bees and the land and the sea and the sky. Be a rebel, rebel, rebel Rebel for life It’s time for the old and the young and the meek and the strong to unite. VERSE 2 It’s ok to disobey It’s the only way x4 so… CHORUS 2 VERSE 3 It’s getting hot here in here and everybody knows x3 It is getting so hot, it’s right underneath our noses CHORUS 3 INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE Be a rebel for life, stand up for life, stand up for life, stand up for life now (repeat as needed)
3.
Unite To Survive (climate / unity / movement of movements) For Extinction Rebellion’s 100 Day Campaign leading to the April Rebellion “The Big One” Westminster, London. Date written: Jan 19th 2023 VERSE 1 I am ready to walk across no-mans land to meet you. It’s about time. And I am ready to kiss your wounds and let you touch mine ‘cause we’re different but we’re aligned. PRE CHORUS 1 I am here to face the edge of the world and I want you by my side I want you to be my partner in ending crime against the earth as we fight for our lives CHORUS 1 We can unite to survive We’re all in this together Unite and we can thrive Everyone deserves a life Unite to survive We’re all in this together Unite and we can thrive Everyone deserves a life VERSE 2 Are you ready? Leaders of the world are you ready to face the truth? It’s about life. I am with you. I’m standing on the bridge. Come and meet me and you’ll find we are different but we’re aligned. PRE CHORUS 2 CHORUS 2 BRIDGE So give me your word. Believe in my dream that we can build bridges in between. We are so different but we all need to breathe, we all need to love we all need to see That.. CHORUS x2
4.
River Run Through Me / This Is Our River (wild swimming / land rights) Written at Right To Roam Spitchwick wild swimming protest Sat Sept 11th 2023 VERSE 1 River run through me. River be my right. River run through me. River be my tide. (repeat whole verse with different melody) CHORUS 1 This is our river. This is our Dart This is our river This is our heart VERSE 2 (same as verse 1) CHORUS 2 INSTRUMENTAL CHORUS 3
5.
Rip Out His Pockets Old Crockern (land rights / Dartmoor / folktale) A Dartmoor land-rights song, in response to Alexander Darwall making a second attempt to have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor revoked. Date written: August 31st 2023 (the date of the announcement) VERSE 1 Hey, you got some gall Alexander Darwall - Coming back for more, wanna keep us from the moor. Hey, you want it all, Alexander Darwall - coming back to court/for more against the Spirit of The Moor. Rip out his pockets Old Crockern CHORUS 1 Rip out his pockets Old Crockern x2 (it’s x2 on the recording but usually x4 live) INSTRUMENTAL 1 (short) VERSE 2 Hey, you wanted us banned, but we won the last round, High up on the moor with our colours and our banners. We were thousands strong with a story and a song. Old Crockern took a stand, and we won the right to camp. Rip out his pockets old Crockern CHORUS 2 Rip out his pockets Old Crockern x2 or x4 INSTRUMENTAL 2 Adam The Poacher folk tune, A section. VERSE 3 Hey, you know we stand with the Spirit of The Land. A warning to all who try to profit from the planet: if you try to keep us down, then you’ll find your fortune gone. These are everyone’s stars and the right is ours! Rip out his pockets old Crockern CHORUS 3 Rip out his pockets Old Crockern x2 or x4 FINAL INSTRUMENTAL Adam The Poacher folk tune in full
6.
Stand Your Ground (war) A humanitarian song for those in Ukraine affected by the 2022 invasion by Russian forces from Feb 24th 2022 Date written: March 4th 2022 Lyrics VERSE 1 It’s not for me to say ‘stay strong’. It’s not for me to say ‘carry on’. This is not what you deserve: Having no choice but to serve. I watch you weeping And I’m not there to hold your hand. I won't be there to help you stand. I hope someone hears your call And can catch you when you fall. I watch you falling PRE CHORUS 1 And I will send my thoughts Like angels on the wind. May they wrap their wings around you as you... CHORUS 1 ...Stand your ground. While your world is falling down We are thinking of you now. Stand your ground. We are sending angels now. VERSE 2 It’s time for us to pray for you - That you can do this better than you think you can do. When your loved ones are all gone It’s not for me to say stay strong - You need an angel PRE CHORUS 2 So I will make my thoughts Grow wings into the night After curfew, hear them singing as you... CHORUS x2
7.
Leaving Vargas Island (migration) Melody by Christopher Dance, lyrics by Kimwei McCarthy. A song honoring migrants traveling by sea now and throughout history. Lyrics written on Wed 22nd August Lyrics VERSE 1 It’s a long way from home. This is not what we chose. Will we still be afloat when the dawn comes in close? VERSE 2 This is not what we chose. Will we still be afloat? When the dawn comes in close will we find ourselves home? VERSE 3 Will we still be afloat when the dawn comes in close? Will we find ourselves home? We’re a long way from home. VERSE 4 This is not what we chose. When the dawn comes in close will we find ourselves home? Will we still be afloat?
8.
9.
Is It Time To Break The Law (direct action / protest) Song For Chris Packham Date written: 22nd September 2023 Lyrics INTRO (no lyrics) VERSE 1 Is it time to break the law? Depends on what that law is for. Depends on what that law will serve - making profit or the earth? VERSE 2 Is it time to break the law? Depends on what you’re fighting for. And if other routes have failed, for all you love, would you go to jail? CHORUS 1 It’s ok to disobey when there is no other way. When those in power can’t be swayed to disobey becomes a grace. VERSE 3 Is it time to break the law when taking action can do more than speaking out about how we must Restore Nature Now (originally a different lyric but changed to support Chris’s restorenaturenow.com ) CHORUS 2 It’s ok to disobey ‘cause good people break bad laws. Against a system that is flawed, to disobey becomes a calling INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE You’ll go down on the right side of my story. You’ll go down on the right side of our stories. CHORUS 3 Is it time to break the law? You will know when you are sure - when your conscience speaks to you to say this fight is right and true
10.
Deep & Awake 02:10
Deep & Awake (ancestry) A prayer to reclaim something that our ancestors had: the inability to switch off to our true nature Date written: July 26th 2023 (This song is acapella. In the video above I sing it in G major starting on D, the 5th note in the scale) VERSE 1 Great grandmother, pass me down the way you can’t stop your tears from falling, you can’t wish away that ache, for I am stranded at the surface of the lake. Help me dive deep and awake x2 VERSE 2 Great grandfather, pass me down the way you can’t stop yourself from hearing the whisper of the wind and all its pain and all its wisdom and its grace. Help me live by what it says x2 VERSE 3 Wise one of old times, pass me down the way you can’t turn away from love when it is knocking at your gate for I am locked out of my heart and it is late. Help me love deep and awake x2 VERSE 4 Oh my children, teach me of the way you can’t stop yourself from hearing the calling of your heart and all its pain and all its wisdom and its grace. Help me live by what it says x2
11.
Born For These Times (revolution / change) Written August 2023 VERSE 1 We were born for these times, these interesting times. I see no reason, no rhyme. Was this your idea or mine, to be born at this edge this time in history, this ledge, with the world on a knifeline hoping we are the lifeline? PRE CHORUS 1 Am I strong enough to right what is wrong before it’s too late? You and me are the generation who are having this revelation that… CHORUS 1 We were born for these times - it is not we asked for but we are up to the task ‘cause we were born for these times - we are the ones to right/write it n’ we are up for the fight. It’s what we’re born for (woah) x4 VERSE 2 I hope we were born with superpowers ‘cause we were born at just the right hour. What a date to incarnate! In time to turn a whole lotta fate. There is hate to un-create. There is all the world to remake all in one lifetime, so someone read me my lifeline! PRE CHORUS 2 CHORUS 2
12.
The Enemy (war) For all those suffering because, to someone, they are the enemy Date written: Friday 13th Oct 2023 VERSE 1 I am looking up the barrel of your gun. I am a civilian. Your eyes are bright, your eyes are wide. I know we are on different sides. CHORUS 1 I am the enemy, so you could do anything. VERSE 2 I am looking up your sightline for your sins / You are looking down your sightline for my sins. I am your win. I am kneeling in your shadow on the ground. I don’t make a sound CHORUS 2 ‘cause I am the enemy, so you could do anything. VERSE 3 I am looking down the barrel of my gun. You are a civilian. Your eyes are bright, your eyes are wide. I know we are on different sides. CHORUS 3 You are the enemy, You could do anything / so I will do anything. VERSE 4 I am looking at the sightline for my sins / You are looking up my sightline for my sins. You are my win. For all you’ve done and all you will and all you have / could, and all you would do still. CHORUS 4 You are the enemy so I will do anything. You are the enemy. Look what you’ve done to me. BRIDGE Save me from this cruelty. Save me from the enemy. CHORUS 5 You are the enemy so you could do anything
13.
Love & Rage (climate / protest on the streets) In response to being involved in Extinction Rebellion’s first Rebellion (April 2019) Date written: April 2019 VERSE 1 Turn back the clock, turn out the light - let’s pretend it’s the night before we knew. When we believed in love. When we believed in life. When we believed the truth was stronger than the lies. PRE CHORUS 1 So even if it’s just you and me Maybe we can still plant a tree everyday until the earth is covered we are strong with each other CHORUS In love and rage and grief I’ll hold you, in love and grace and hope we’ll walk these streets with love and rage and all of our faith we will heal our home. VERSE 2 So turn up the news, open your eyes let your heart be you power be your guide. let’s believe in love let’s believe life let’s believe the truth is stronger than the lies PRE CHORUS 2 ‘Cause even if it’s just you and me We can still plant a tree everyday until the earth is covered and be there for each other CHORUS 2 BRIDGE (band version only) In love and rage and grief we will heal our home x4

about

Where is the soundtrack for the climate revolution? We believe it is down to us all to make it. I am a Singer-songwriter and Grand Bard of Exeter, and I've teamed up with folk musicians Christopher Dance, Lisa Rowe and Anita Munson to make the songs of tomorrow’s history: music that births change - a lush landscape of vocal harmonies, guitar, strings and woodwind to surround and transform you.

We are a band who have been brought together by our deep love of music, for the planet, all who live on it, and for justice and peace. Listen to more music at www.kimwei.com Learn the songs at tinyurl.com/KimweiSongbook

Anthems For Change is a Kickstarter funded album. Notable Kickstarter Backers and Supporters: Chris Packham, George Monbiot, Guy Shrubsole & Lewis Winks (Right To Roam), Mark Chadwick (The Levellers), Rev Hammer, Mark Mylod (Succession), Gail Bradbrook & Clare Farrell (Extinction Rebellion co-founders), Rob & Emma Hopkins (Transition Towns), Kate Raworth (Doughnut Economics), Matt Black (Coldcut / Ninja Tune), Dr Emily Grossman (Scientists For Extinction Rebellion co-founder), Kate Smurthwaite (comedian and activist), Chloe Naldrett, Greta Stoddart, Prof Richard Betts MBE (University of Exeter), Anthea Lawson (The Entangled Activist)

Movements we've supported with music so far: Right To Roam, The Stars Are For Everyone, Extinction Rebellion, Beyond Borders Totnes, Critical Mass, Chris Packham's Restore Nature Now, Fossil Free London/Oily Money Out, Friends of The Dart.

Thank you to all our Kickstarter Backers: Sanchia Ryan, Michel Culloden, Louisa Berry, Yanai Postelnik, Sian Aubrey, Caroline Villamizar, Cathy Allen, Jennifer Condit, Jo Breeze, Dirk Campbell, Simon Robinson, Tara Bacon, Klina Jordan, Mary Booker, Paul Harvey, Terri Winding, Neil Sanders, Sarah Crow, Kate Cameron-Daum, Ahmet, Jo Mackie, Nicola Gyopari, Maris, Mark Chapman, Paul Harvey, Pritam Singh, Mary Light, Sara Vero, Nick Bennet, Anna Price, Nigel Mackie, Mama Tokus, Adrian Besser, Suzanne von Engelhardt, Laura Watkins, Jessica May Rose Langton, Thomas Riddle, Bruce Thorndike, Ella Saltmarshe, Alan Nash, David and Tammy Heathfield, Amerie Rose, Alida Robey, J.S Morgane, Louisa Casson, Adrian Sargood, Colin Davis, Charlotte Bill, Catherine Moorwood, Rowan Salim Ali Hawker, Peter Nickol, Inez Aponte, Harriet Hawkworth, Ken, George Stanley Butler, Jane Knight, Silas, Emma Gray, Caroline Lang, Julia, Nick Bilbrough, John & Ros Wehner, Sarah Moody, Caz, Simone Wilkie, Susannah Browning, Martin Goldschmidt, Rebecca Sie, Claudio Donadel, Clare Coyne, Victoria Brookbank, Rosie Eade, Jen, Hui Hui Ng, Ben, Yannina Captain, C. Waley, Rita Edah, Ros Coon, Lydia Goldblatt, Simon Herko, Turiya Dew, Jane Kennedy, Hannah Mulder, Theodore Wu, Marc Frank, Michael Fox, Nick Dance, Jonathan J Cohen, Claire M Bhatia, Helen Jacobs, Lucy Levene, Tom Bradley, Guin Wearne, Chris Hill, Dani, Susi Arnott, Mahinda Kularatne, Julie Greenwell, Gerd Wessling, Sophia Jones, Georgina Allen, Molly Fletcher, Ian Summers, Helen Palmer, GM Robinson, Aisha Walker, Julie Bristow, David McKay, Jan Yarker, Sarah Owen, Christopher Titmuss, Luke C, Ana Simons: Friends of The Dart, John Betts, Rahelly Cutting Ben-Meir, Jill & Godfrey Whitehouse, John Betts.

credits

released December 7, 2023

This album was made with a 100% commitment to capturing the raw sound of voices and instruments, no overdubs, noFX, no autotune. As a quartet, we gathered around 1 or 2 microphones to play and sing live in the studio, just like folk musicians did in the early days. Where possible, recordings were made during the 1st or 2nd rehearsal of a song. In other words, this is the sound of living music.

All rights reserved © Kimwei McCarthy 2023. All songs written & performed by Kimwei McCarthy (lead vocals, guitar, tin whistle on Leaving Vargas Island). Writing and performing their own parts were Christopher Dance (backing vocals, fiddle, mandolin), Lisa Rowe (backing vocals, fiddle, 2nd guitar), Anita Munson (backing vocals, tin whistle on Rebel For Life, clarinet, tenor sax). Guest performers were Charlotte Bill on fife for River Run Through Me & Jessica May Rose Langton singing harmony for The Enemy. All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Kimwei McCarthy at Circadian Music Studio, Exeter. Front cover photo by Fern Leigh Albert. Back cover photo by Holly Ebony, design by Rebecca Hopkins at sustainable printshop Stormpress.

The International Choir singing on Stand Your Ground is mixture of professional singers & untrained singers who contributed remotely. No corrective editing or autotune was used - in other words, this song comes to you from our hearts, just as we are: Ami Jo Lee - Singer Devon UK, Laura Kamau - Singer UK, Liz Franklin-Kitchen - Royal Opera UK, Phil Hogg - Singer Totnes UK, Tammy (Singer) & David Heathfield (Storyteller) Exeter UK, Tom Pottage - Musician Nottingham UK, Adrianne Greenbaum - Singer & Professor of Flute at Mount Holyoke College USA, Jennifer Parnall - Singer Spain/Canada, Kimaya Gurung - Storyteller Kathmandu Nepal, Laura Collins - Singer/Vocal Coach Birmingham UK, Oli Savill - Musician, Emily Grossman - Singer Totnes UK, Andii Diamond - Singer Birmingham UK, Marina Rolink - Singer, Glasgow UK, Alla Goeksu - Storyteller, with family and friends, Germany & Ukraine

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Kimwei Exeter, UK

Pre-order Anthems For Change at kimwei.com !

Where is the soundtrack for the climate revolution? I believe it is down to us all to make it. This year I've teamed up with folk musicians Chris Dance, Lisa Rowe & Anita Clarinet to make the songs of tomorrow’s history: music that births change - a lush landscape of vocal harmonies, guitar, strings & woodwind to surround and transform you. ... more

contact / help

Contact Kimwei

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Kimwei, you may also like: