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History of Dust

by Clinton Curtis

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about

History of Dust was written the day following the tragic natural disaster and subsequent suffering in Haiti, and recorded a day later. Songwriter Clinton Curtis, and Producer/Engineer Matt Stine wanted to find a creative way to inspire continued generosity amongst music fans by releasing a new recording and directing all the proceeds to the relief effort.  We are very pleased that all the proceeds from this song are going directly to such an incredibly important organization as Partners In Health (www.pih.org)

"History of Dust" is an artist’s reaction to great suffering.  In the days following the horrific loss of life, many Haitian’s took to singing in the streets- turning toward music as a reprieve from unimaginable pain.  "History of Dust" is a song about great sorrow, struggle renewal, and the incredible spirit of a downtrodden people. 

lyrics

"History of Dust" Lyrics

I was born right here,
My father too.
My people were brethren of the coast,
Tortuga pirates, revolution ghosts
I was born right here.

And I’ll die right here,
Where my father died.
Hispanola, tears flow red in the Western tide.
I will die right here.

It took the fist of God to make you look,
And brother, what did you see?
Will you turn your head?
Can you look away?

Can you wash your soft hands clean?

When we clear the dust and give back our bones
And the armies all go home
You can point to us, from your golden shore
When we clear our hearts and build back our homes
Will all these these souls be just a history of dust?

Papa Doc he came
In Jesus’ name
The chosen one
The blood did run
In Jesus’ name.

And the blood ran through the crooked street
And it mixed with dust
And they took the gold
And let us rust
They let us rust.

It took the fist of God to make you look,
And brother, what did you see?
Will you turn your head?
Can you look away?

Can you wash your soft hands clean?

When we clear the dust and give back our bones
And the army all goes home
You can point to us, from your golden shore
When we clear our hearts and build back our homes
Will all these these souls be just a history of dust?

credits

released January 27, 2010
Clinton Curtis on guitars, bass and percussion
Gray Reinhard on Organ and Harmonica
Justin Levine on Piano
Andrew McLean on drums.  

Produced and Engineered by Matt Stine

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about

Clinton Curtis New York, New York

I am a NYC-Based Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Performer.

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