Interviews with our families revealed that many people find power in supporting one another and being connected to the community. As youth in Alphabet Rockers, we wrote Strength in Numbers over Zoom, reflecting on our individual sense of power.
lyrics
Tommy: Yea let’s go AR Crew - where we going?
Higher - higher
Kaitlin: Let’s rise
Tommy: Let’s lift them up, Y’all ready for this
Kaitlin: Let’s do it
CHORUS
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
MAYA
I’m powerful when I’m with my community
People that accept my thoughts and ideas and see
The truth about who I am - they love all my melanin - I know that I’m confident
So watch out, I'm steppin in.
I’m with a community where I’m safe and I’m loved
I’ve also got my ancestors watching from above.
With the power that I have from my past and from my present
I know I can do anything, y’all need to accept It.
KALI
I feel powerful when people listen
Don’t ignore me cause you won’t know what you’re missin’
And if you plug your ears, I’ll write my truth down
Do whatever I can, so long as the truth’s found
Learn the truth sometimes that’s not what they teach
Right now they might not listen but you have to speak
And when they hear you teach them what’s real
Speak your mind and tell them how you feel
LILY
I know I’m powerful when I see my beauty
And from head to toe self love through and through me
I love myself every day
Can be myself every way
Don’t need to prove anything
I’m confident at my age
They say your not your past, you are in a way
Your ancestors within you, there’s someone you should thank
The power when they prayed, part of us in many ways
They had so many goals, we’ll get there one day (woo!)
CHORUS
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
KALI
Something you should know is that this is how I feel
Cause I support what’s true and what’s real
Put a break on this cycle like it’s a wheel
And we shouldn’t punish, but we should heal
TOMMY
I feel powerful when I can leave the house without a fraction of doubt
that Im’a be safe
That when I run for the bases, I won’t get tagged out
And my parents ain’t scared I won’t reach home base.
Powerful when I can be me and be free without feeling shame
Feel powerful when I can keep my self tamed
And in control power isn’t something that can be stole
But only given something inside that’s risen
KALI
I feel power when I have support
Doesn’t matter if you’re big, tall, small, or short
Strength in numbers when we’re in a community
When people connect, that’s how we find unity
CHORUS
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
We got strength it’s in our community
We got power - that’s unity
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
OUTRO
Strength in numbers
When we’re in a community
When people connect -
That’s how we find unity.
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
Strength in numbers
When we’re in a community
When people connect -
That’s how we find unity.
Standing up on your shoulders
Lifting our voices higher!
credits
from The Movement,
released September 9, 2022
Written by: Maya Fleming, Kali de Jesus, Lillian Metra Ellis, Tommy Shepherd III, Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Soulati Shepherd
Lead Vocals: Maya Fleming, Kali de Jesus, Lillian Ellis, Tommy Shepherd III. Backing vocals: Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Soulati Shepherd. Producers: Kaitlin McGaw, Tommy Soulati Shepherd, Kabir Sehgal. Addtl Production: Beat and Programming - iLL MEDiA, Drums - Tommy Soulati Shepherd, Synths - Kevin McCann. Vocal Production: Kevin McCann. Arrangement: Kevin McCann and Tommy Soulati Shepherd. Engineer: Kevin McCann. Mixed by: Roark Bailey. Mastered by Bijan Sharifi.
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