Rhiannon Giddens - We Could Fly (Official Video)
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Published 2023-11-07
The song "We Could Fly" is from Rhiannon Giddens's 2017 album 'Freedom Highway': rhiannongiddens.lnk.to/FreedomHwy
The song draws on a heritage of African folklore, capturing an incantatory dialogue between a mother and daughter to celebrate love, resilience, and the spiritual power of the “old-time ways”—tradition and shared cultural memory—to sustain and uplift.
Illustrations by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Video Produced by Noir Prism Studios
WE COULD FLY
(written by Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell)
Mama, dear mama, look in yonder tree
See that pretty little sparrow, a-lookin' back at me
She can soar above the clouds, way up in the sky
She can fly away from here, why, o why, can't I?
Daughter, dear daughter, I'll tell you something true
Remember Gran Eliza, well, every night she flew
They tried to keep her down but there was nothing they could do
She could fly, she could fly
She could slip the bonds of earth and rise so high
She could fly across the river
Her spirit in her hands
Searching, always searching for the promised land
Mama, dear mama, mama tell me more
I feel a trembling in my arms, I've never felt before
Daughter, dear daughter, listen what I say
Your granny always told me you'd feel that way some day
Every time she looked at you she saw the old-time ways
When we could fly, we could fly
We could slip the bonds of earth and rise so high
We could fly across the mountains
Together, hand in hand
Searching, always searching for the promised land
Mama, dear mama, come and stand by me
I feel a lightness in my feet, a longing to be free
My heart it is a-shakin' with an old, old song
I hear the voices sayin', it's time for moving on
She took her mama by the hand, they rose up in the air
They held each other tight and then
They flew away from there
They held each other tight and then they flew away from there
They could fly, they could fly
They could slip the bonds of earth and rise so high
They could fly across the ocean
Together, hand in hand
Searching, always searching for the promised land
#rhiannongiddens #dirkpowell #wecouldfly #kidsbook
All Comments (21)
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I am a teacher librarian and shared this with my classes in grades second through fifth. It was so well received and loved, several times there was this organic, spontaneous applause when it ended. Thank you for this beautiful song and book!
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❤i played this beautiful song 🎵 for my mom as she was getting her heavenly wings 🪽
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I saw Rhiannon 2 days ago and this was in her set, As always so much better live but the best part was the story that inspired the song. Go see her and she will tell it. She is definitely a special person.
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Artists give us personal gifts without knowing it. Since this song came out it was a gift for me and my daughter, to whom I sing it at night as a lullaby. Thank you Rhiannon 🙌🏽
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Love this woman's voice. I can't express it any better.
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I can't let go of this strong and delicate voice. This song is magnificent, the clip is very beautiful and your voice is captivating. I love you !
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Wow! This brought me to tears on my morning commute. Absolutely beautiful! So grateful to have discovered your inspiring music 💓
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This song allows me to think of my granny. Just like yours, my granny was so special. I feel joy when I think about my grandma, Malissa. R.I.P.
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Thank you, Miss Giddens, for giving us this beauty. It helps us escape the bonds that hold us down.
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This song is so special to me and helps through a very hard time we regularly experience. I first played it years ago when my rescue dog finally needed euthanized. We had been through so much together and her life did not begin until she was rescued from that hoarder and came to live with me. Now we work specifically in Animal Rescue & Welfare and have a home full of fosters. Today, exactly 4 years to the day that she came into our home, our most senior foster will be assisted in passing peacefully in her home. She also did not begin her real life until she was rescued in her senior years. She had clearly only been used for breeding, never knew life as anything more than property for profit, and just set loose when she was no longer of value. She was severely emaciated, afraid to come indoors, and didn't have even a defensive note in her, let alone any aggression. Over time she gained weight & strength back and, eventually, came to fully embrace the "pet life". Now, at approximately 18 years old, a list of ailments, and a recent stroke it has been decided that it is time to help her pass. Her will and spirit are so very strong but her poor old body just can't give anymore. I really can't express how special it is to have this released in such perfect timing. Thank you.
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I find it quite rare for the songs she writes to match the way she delivers and performs them. But when they do, like here, I think it is just perfection. What a talent!
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Everyone I listen to your music, read your posts, see you in concert, you touch my heart, my soul, my emotions, my thoughts. So grateful for you.
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So poetic! This song of yours is one of my favorite's one...and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous... 🤩 I love that!
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Beautifully done, with a sweetness that attracts the heart. The artwork compliments the song perfectly.♥
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This is absolutely achingly beautiful. Thank you, for the song, for the artwork.
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Rhiannon's booked for Gate to Southwell Festival, UK, in July. Its only a small festival, one of the BEST small fests, but all credit to her that she's prepared to come all this way for us! You are GUARANTEED a very warm welcome and a most appreciative audience! Bring plenty of merch, it will definitely fly off the table. ❤
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This is a beautiful song.. and the art is just amazing. So warm and gorgeous!
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I have seen the Carolina Chocolate Drops live. They are all very gifted. Rhiannon is a blessing and I sincerely appreciate that her music continues to focus on the historical tempos of African American music. Although I am not black, I believe this song portrays the courage and spiritual attributes that serve to help human beings overcome the unrightable wrong, slavery.
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Head to toe chills! Absolutely gorgeous.
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So Beautiful, thank you 💖
