(You Can't Be Rich On) Shattered Land

A song I wrote in response to the documentary, Gasland, and in support of the movement to ban hydraulic fracturing in Nova Scotia and everwhere. Recorded in my living room by the sea. At the suggestion of my friend, Michael, I've changed the title of this song, but haven't changed the title on the video itself. Time is too precious. Call it whatever you want.
©2011 - I've put this under a Creative Commons license so that it can be used for non-commercial use by people interested in spreading the word about Hydraulic Fracturing. For exact licensing terms, please visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Lyrics:
My man can't find work, no matter where he looks
We're on the dole; we're busted flat
We thought of growing some weed back in the woods,
But we don't want our kids mixed up in that

It was Borrow Now and Foreclose Later
We're up to our keisters in alligators
Don't know what we can do
Gonna take a miracle to pull us through

Then this fellow came up to our door
Offerin' money to mine out back
You'll get paid for doin' nothin', folks
If you'll just sign here and let us frack

So we can be rich, on shattered land
Or poor, on land that's whole
That's the choice they're offering
Hey Mister
That's just a bounty on our souls

Our kids are learning to do without
There's more to life than clothes and toys
And yeah we'd love to give them everything
But this is the devil's choice

I say it sounds too good to be true
and I ask the man
"What's the risk of cancer"
He says, "You can have your money up front"
And, you know, that ain't no kind of answer.

'Cause if it's Money Now and Tumours Later
Shove your hydraulic fracturator
Don't want your poisons in our well
Hey Mister
You can go to hell

I guess I'm going back to school
Study Tourism Management
And my man's planted our Victory Garden
He's washin' the dishes and mindin' the kids

'Cause it's Borrow Now, but Payback Later
We love this land and won't betray her
There's always something we can do
Hard Work is gonna have to be what pulls us through

'Cause you can't be rich, on shattered land
Or poor, on land that's whole
That's no choice they're offering
Hey Mister
Can't put a bounty on our souls.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alex
• Hickey
• www.alexsings.ca
• roots
• music
• folk
• songwriter
• original
• Canadian
• CanCon
• Hydraulic Fracturing
• acoustic
• protest song
• Fracking

[BartSwinter]

You running on Wind Power or something?..I'm sure a Protester like yourself would never use coal/Natural Gas run electricty..and how far do you have to walk to get to work?..If your gonna "Talk the Talk"..First you better "Walk the Walk"...It's to Bad Too..Your Very Talented...Maybe you should have just planted that Pot...It's only a 1000 times more harmful than Fracturing..and just think of all the songs you can write about That!

[alexhickeysings]

@BartSwinter Hi Bart! Thanks for your comment on my video. It's my opinion that a person doesn't have to be environmentally "pure" in every single aspect of their life (which, let's face it, is a pretty difficult thing to do in North America) in order to have an opinion about a method of natural gas extraction which is a terrible waste of clean water, damages rural landscapes and potentially poisons the earth and the people and animals that live nearby. Cheers.

[BartSwinter]

@alexhickeysings Well..I have to say this..Your song is by far the best I've heard on this subject..Any subject for that matter..My problem is that you are misinformed about the process and effects of Hydrofracturing.."Gasland" is made up of twisted Facts..For instance..Burning water has been known for over 200 years..Way before Drilling for Gas..Josh Fox has intetionally left out all facts in his film..Fear Pays..and he's reaping the rewards at $7500 a speech (daily)..Seek the Truth..God Bless

[alexhickeysings]

@BartSwinter Hi Again, Bart. I've done some additional research in addition to what I saw in Gaslands and there are a number of reputable scientists who've raised concerns about Hydraulic Fracking - in terms of water contmination, seismic destabilization, destruction of habitat and rural landscapes. It really seems to me that the disadvantages to fracking far outweigh the benefits. I'm glad you like the song, despite your opinion on its accuracy. All the best.

[trevorm1]

I really like this song. I found it because Im friends with Dolores when she 'liked' it..it showed up on my youtube page. I'm glad she did. Great song. Great message.

I'm a new fan.

--Trevor

[alexhickeysings]

@trevorm1 Hey Trevor, Thanks very much commenting. I'm so glad you saw this on Dol's feed. I've subscribed to your channel and checked out some of your vids. Boy, can you play! Love your version of Nature Boy. Looking forward to watching and hearing more. - Alex

[7863547]

beautiful song

beautiful thoughts

and like that whistling too :)

[MrFinalshot]

I think 50 of those views are mine . . . keep it up Alex!

[trevorm1]

@alexhickeysings Thanks a bunch. If you're interested in just fun...I just uploaded one of me walking you around my living room. I know it's dumb..what can I say..LOL.

:-)

[trevorm1]

@DoloresD thanks for loving it...I saw that on my page and checked it out.