© Maria Dunn, 2012

Inspired by Kim who came to Canada from Vietnam as a refugee in the 1980s.

I cannot tell you the whole story
But if you knew me, you’d understand
Though I was young, I’d seen a lifetime
Of war and hardship in my own land

When I escaped, I left my family
I took their blessings, their hopes and pride
Pray for my safety on the journey
And I’ll send word from the other side

Oh daughter, please don’t hold to me
Though it’s so hard to let you go
You’ve more to give, you’ve more to be
Than this country will allow

I could cross oceans, brave open water
Come to a place so wintry, bleak
But all my courage, my looking forward
Could not prepare me for my grief

I scraped and saved, each precious paycheck
More medicine to send back home
My loving grandma, she couldn’t wait
I never wept so all alone

Granddaughter, please don’t mourn for me
Though it’s so hard to let you go
You’ve more to give, you’ve more to be
Than this country will allow

There’s little time for feeling lonely
There’s little time for looking back
You do your duty, you make ends meet
Roll up your sleeves, pick up the slack

***

Maria Dunn vocal, acoustic guitar
Shannon Johnson violin
Ojas Joshi tabla, chanda
Michael Lent upright bass
Sharmila Mathur sitar