JUST REUSE By Nora Roman 5-19-07 Arabic Lyrics by Karim Amrani 2010 Species extinction, Resource depletion Disappearing ozone, Satellites for cell phones TV towers and microwaves, Mine tunnels in our deepest caves WE EACH MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY WHAT WE DO THINK BEFORE YOU BUY AND JUST REUSE HAZ UNA DIFERENCIA CON TU ACCION REUSAR, NO COMPRAR ES UNA SOLUCION فكر مليح في عمالك خمم قبل ما تشري و تبيع Feker mlih fi aamalek khemem kbel ma techri we tbii. Mountaintop removal, GMO approval Cutting down whole forests - no oxygen tomorrow Poison from our smokestacks, melting polar ice caps All 3 language COROS Alternating coros (E,S,A) with lines -No pesticides in our gardens, no poisons in our homes S -No gas guzzlers in our driveways, no credit card debt, no loans A -All those ocean oil drills, and now we’re covered in oil spills E -Ugly smelly factory farms, spending all our money on arms S -No latest gadget beeping for its charge, we grow vegetables in our yard A -Military bases everywhere, pollutants in our bones and hair E -Feeding us industrial food, take a pill to lift your mood S -Islands of plastic, fish caught out-rivers dried up, floods & draught A -Imaginary borders cross our land, migrants die of thirst in the sand. E -Natives stuck on a reservation, more prisoners here than any other nation S -Distract yourself with a stupid ball game, hunger and suffering stay the same A

CONDENA INDEFINIDA By Nora Roman 12-24-89 Arabic lyrics by Karim Amrani 12-10 Mirar y no mirar Besar y no besar Condena indefinida De esperar y esperar Sentir y no sentir Vivir y no vivir Condena indefinida De esperar y esperar Cuantos dias ya han pasado? Cuantos mas van a pasar? Hasta tener mi querida Y mi querida libertad En la vida habra justicia Las cadenas a quebrar Pero tengo mi condena De esperar y esperar. Arabic verse (w/ arabic coro in between lines-8 lines) Arabic coro: Natamanou, natamanou (esperar y esperar) translation of Condena Indefinida: INDEFINITE SENTENCE the spanish: To see and not to see To kiss and not to kiss Indefinite sentence To wait and wait To feel and not to feel To live and not to live Indefinite sentence To wait and wait How many days have already gone by? How many more will pass? Until I have my beloved And my beloved liberty In this life there will be justice The chains will all break But I have my indefinite sentence To wait and wait and wait To wait and wait, to wait and wait. The arabic My heart is sad, my sadness has been forever I’m stuck at the bottom of a well I’m crying, my tears run I don’t know what to do with my life I have my mind and brain intact My strength is I am not the first or last to feel this I will open my eyes after all that dark and see the light And I know things will be better. Chorus: to wait and to wait.

DARK DAY: Nora Roman 2005 Original Arabic by Kareem Phoenix Mahmoud, Arabic update by Karim Amrani 2010 Another dark day & the curse of destruction is ascending. some feel it like a blow in the belly or a pain in their heart Some cry & some scream, & some just plan their escape, Some go to a meeting, and some just sit there & stare Their fear will not change our respect for all life, their buzz words will not make us obey their greed is a germ that we will not catch every day we will stand in their way Weh bahd a la lem el leil yeti ne har (After the darkness comes the light) We'll continue to live and to break all their rules we'll make jokes & laugh really loud, we'll make art & music, and play with our kids and defy all the odds & be proud Weh bahd a la lem el leil yeti ne har They may have power now but the world is not theirs, all of them & their hate it will fade, they can eat their red alerts & their war on terrorists mother nature’s gonna end their evil ways. Weh bahd a la lem el leil yeti ne har Pretty soon they'll have no oil for their precious SUVs the machines that made their world will rust away and all the rest of us left will laugh & dance & sing, and the sun it will rise every day. the wind it will blow, the rain it will fall, and the sun it will rise every day. Weh bahd a la lem el leil yeti ne har San a’ohmu wista zeehad Wana tirr fi omkhey il behar Weh bahd a la lem el leil yeti ne har (We’ll fly deep in the ocean, we’ll swim up in the sky, and after the darkness the light will come)

BUY AND BUY By Nora Roman 10-22-05 When George Orwell wrote 1984 even he couldn’t predict The mind control this state has brought, it really makes me sick. The future we are living could not have been foreseen Where corporations have more rights than real live human beings. Where propaganda is the news, and advertising rules Where those who dare to speak up, are all dismissed as fools. The doublespeak they spout all day, destroying people’s minds, War is Peace, and torture’s right, ,hate is the tie that binds. Fear is their new reality; their idol is a company They wear its logo so proudly and buy and buy and buy AND BUY, OH BUY, JUST BUY AND BUY, OH BUY, AND BUY, JUST BUY AND BUY. Rich white men rule cause they’re so smart And everyone else wants to work at Walmart Poor folks of color around the globe, are murdered by these homophobes Occupation is democracy, domination is their theocracy SO BUY, OH BUY, JUST BUY AND BUY, OH BUY, AND BUY, JUST BUY AND BUY. Yes is no and no is yes, Welcome to the great U.S. It rules the world by destroying it, but don’t despair it’s for the best Perpetual war on terrorists is better than fighting communists Imperial power is full of zest, be glad you’re number One AND BUY, OH BUY, JUST BUY AND BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY. DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY. DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY, DON’T BUY

ME MUERO PRIMERO By Nora Roman 2-27-93 Poema de Intro (1986) Basta, Basta ya con los juegos tuyos Te siento en mi piel Como las espinas de la caña Pero ya te estoy quitando Espina por espina por espina: Me dices que queres volver conmigo, Que sufres cada dia mas sin mi Que tu alma esta totalmente adolorido Que yo tengo que sentir igual que tu Pero yo te juro que si no has cambiado Jamas me vas a poder convencer Porque yo ya no soy aquella la misma tonta Que te dio a vos todo su querer Me Muero Primero, Me Muero Primero Antes de dejarte entrar en mi vida otra vez-ME MUERO PRIMERO Antes de abrir mi corazon a tu puñal --- MMP Antes de dejarte acariciar mi piel ---- MMP Antes de dejarte traicionarme otra vez---MMP Antes de eschuchar tus palabras tan dulces---MMP Antes de pensar en un futuro junto a ti---MMP Antes de dejarte besar a mi---MMP Antes de creer que tu me vas a apoyar---MMP Antes de decir que yo a ti me voy a dedicar---MMP Antes de creer las mentiras que salen de tu boca---MMP Antes de meterme en tu vida tan loca---MMP Antes de caer en tu trampa sin saber---MMP Nunca jamas yo me voy a caer---MMP, MMP, MMP, MMP English translation: I’d Die First Poem from 1986: Enough, enough of your games. I feel you in my skin, like the spines of sugarcane. But I already started picking you out. Spine by spine by spine. You say you want to go back with me, That you suffer every day without me, That your soul is full of pain That I have to feel the same But I swear that if you haven’t changed, You could never convince me Because I’m not that same silly girl Who gave you all her love. Before I let you back in my life- I’d die first Before I open my heart to your knife- I’d die first Before I let you caress my skin- I’d die first Before I let you betray me another time- I’d die first Before I listen to your sweet words- I’d die first Before I think of a future with you- I’d die first Before I let you kiss me- I’d die first Before I believe that you would support me- I’d die first Before I say I’m going to dedicate myself to you- I’d die first Before I believe the lies from your mouth- I’d die first Before I get involved in your crazy life again- I’d die first Before I fall into your trap without realizing it - I’d die first Never again am I going to fall- I’d die first I’d die first, I’d die first, I’d die first. I’d die first!

LUCHADOR: Cancion Para Willy By Nora Roman 1-28-08 CORO: Luchador, desde el principio Luchador, hasta el final, Luchador siempre adelante Que viva Willy y el Salvador! (4x) Una chispa bien brillante, que tiraba fuego, donde andaba, Mi hijo guapo y sabroso, con compromiso y con mucha gracia. Nacido en el sesentaysiete, en la acera del mercado central, Siempre andaba, descalzo, para vender lo que vos podia Desde zipote, tan chiquitico, en la lucha por la libertad, por el BPR fuiste correo, Por la justicia y la hermandad coro En el ochenta y uno, corria sangre, en las calles de San Salvador, Tu mama Conchi a ti te forzó a acompañarla a salvarse ya. A San Francisco, venian caminando, y a los tres dias de estar aqui, Vos te encontraste con tus compañeros de Casa El Salvador. Farabundo Marti CORO Vos entregaste, trabajaste duro, a cada evento asistia, Puño arriba, boca gritando, inspirando a quien te veia. Pero tu corazon habia quedado, en el sur donde dicen vos. Pues partiste, regresaste para poner tu grano de arroz. CORO Años de guerra, y de exilio, de movimiento e inseguridad, Cuando por fin regresaste a San Pancho, Siendo Willy - hombre ya. Tu nueva lucha fue descubrirte, a tu alma y tu identidad, A entenderte en lo profundo, a ti mismo en tu complejidad. CORO Cuando decidimos ser madre y hijo, me llenó de felicidad, Ser tu madre revolucionaria con quien pudiste celebrar. Años pasaron, crecimos juntos, y vos lograste participar, En tantos grupos, tanto trabajo-demasiado para mencionar: CORO Vos empezaste el movimiento, contra EL SIDA en El Salvador, A los derechos Gay y lesbianas dedicaste tu amor. Nuevas leyes y respeto llego a ser tu gran mision Lograste tanto en tu tiempo por tu clara vision CORO Te enterre un dia triste, en noviembre del dos mil tres, Acompañada de tanta gente, niños llorando por su tio Wil. Mijo querido, tu vida cuenta, no fue en vano lo que a ti pasó. El mundo llego a ser mejor por mi Willy de El Salvador CORO LUCHADOR: SONG FOR WILLY 1-28-08 English Translation Struggler/fighter from the beginning, struggler/fighter to the end Long live Willy & El Salvador, Long live Willy & El Salvador A really bright spark, that lit fires wherever he went, My handsome, colorful son, with commitment and so much grace. Born in ’67 on the sidewalk of the Central Market, You walked all around, although barefoot, selling whatever you could. From when you were a little boy, so small, you joined the struggle for liberty. You were a messenger for the Popular Revolutionary Block For justice and sister/brotherhood. In ’81, the blood ran in the streets of San Salvador, Your mama Conchi forced you to accompany her to save yourself. To San Francisco you came walking, and after 3 days here you found the comrades of Casa El Salvador Farabundo Marti. You threw yourself into it, worked hard, attended every event, Fist on high, mouth shouting, inspiring everyone who saw you, But your heart had stayed behind, in the south where they say “vos” So you left and returned to contribute your grain of rice. After years of war and exile, of movement and insecurity, When you finally returned to San Pancho, you were already Willy -a man Your new struggle was to discover yourself, your soul and your identity, To understand yourself deeply, understand your complexity. When we decided to be mother and son, I was filled with happiness. To be your revolutionary mother with whom you could celebrate. Years passed, we grew together, and you succeeded in participating in so many groups, so much work, too much to even mention. You started the Movement against AIDS in El Salvador, To Gay & Lesbian human rights you dedicated your love. New laws and respect came to be your grand mission, And you achieved so much in your time with your clear vision. I buried you on a sad day in November 2003, accompanied by so many people, children crying for their Uncle Will. My dear son, your life counts, what happened to you was not in vain. The world changed into a better place because of my Willy from El Salvador.

SONG FOR PALESTINE BY NORA ROMAN 12-28-08 Israel is bombing Gaza again Chorus: OO-OO-00-00—PALESTINE OO-OO-OO-OO PALESTINE THEY’RE KILLING YOUR CHILDREN AGAIN, OH PALESTINE MY HEART ACHES AS I SING, FOR PALESTINE HOW MANY MORE YEARS? HOW MANY MORE TEARS? HOW MANY MORE LIVES? HOW MUCH PAIN ON ALL SIDES? HOW DOES ONE LOSE HER HUMANITY? HOW CAN WE ACCEPT THIS INSANITY? Chorus HOW MANY MORE BOMBS? HOW MANY MORE PSALMS? HATE JUST HAS NO PLACE, IN MY HUMAN RACE ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE, WITH JUSTICE AND LIBERTY Chorus I WANT TO HAVE SOME FAITH, THAT YOU’LL BE FREE SOMEDAY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WILL AWAKE, FROM THE NITEMARE OF TODAY, AND ALL PEOPLE WILL BE ONE AND WILL LIVE IN HARMONY WHEN THE SCATTERED CAN COME HOME TO PALESTINE Chorus, MY HEART BREAKS AS I SING FOR PALESTINE (2x)

A FEW MORE by Nora Roman, March 1977 Well I wish I had a rooster So I could listen to him crow And I wish I had a garden So I could sit and watch it grow But I wish I had some lovers Who’d bring me some and ask for more Well I like to see the sunrise Be blinded by that golden glow And I like to see the stars shine In the blackness of that giant hole But I’d like to see some lovers Who’d bring me some and ask for more... Well I can paddle a canoe on the ocean when it’s rough I can climb a sheer rock cliff But it doesn’t seem as touch As to find yourself some lovin That could ever be enough In this big joint of a world all I ask is one more puff Well I’ve been shaken by an earthquake I saw a comet streak the sky A volcano made me melt Eclipses make me wanna cry But all I ask is to be shaken By a few more lovers before I die.

REQUIEM FOR TOOKIE WILLIAMS by Nora Roman 12-13-05 They killed Tookie Williams this morning at twelve thirty five He grew to reject killing, so they couldn’t leave him alive. Kill kill kill it’s the american way, Kill Kill Kill it’s the american way (coro) I want to go into hiding, not know about all this pain. I do not belong to your evil land, I’m not gonna share the blame. I won’t Kill, kill kill cause it’s the american way (repeat) You evil beings who make the guns, who torture and who bomb, How do you sleep, how do you live, with all the pain you cause? You kill kill kill it’s the american way, (repeat) No war is a good war, and no execution is just. You who want these awful things, you’re infected with blood lust. You kill, kill kill it’s the american way (repeat) None of your warped values will get me to join in, I will not buy, I can’t be bought, I have no original sin. I won’t kill, kill, kill cause it’s the american way (repeat) I am not an american, I belong to no man’s state Patriotism is a social disease, wake up before it’s too late Don’t kill, kill, kill cause it’s the american way. Don’t kill, don’t kill, don’t kill, don’t kill, don’t kill.

ZELDA ! by Nora Roman 7-14-07 She walks in the room and everyone sees, They jump up and say, come sit next to me. Petite is her body, her spirit so tall, Her perfume is niceness, her smile says it all. Zelda! ................Zelda! Zelda is the very best mother I have. Zelda!......................Zelda! Her cooking’s not bad, she knows how to paint, She gardens, she hammers, lazy she ain’t, She scrubs, she cleans, she drives, she flies She can tile & sew, & of course she is wise. Chorus She can play on the floor, roll around like a fool, She used to ride horses and paddle canoes, She danced, played piano, & rarely got mad, She taught us to love and to love what we had. Coro Celebrate 83 years Zelda’s on earth Praise 30 July-the day of her birth Zelda! Zelda! Zelda! Zelda! Zelda! Happy Birthday Zelda (june 2011)

DOMINATION By Nora Roman 11-07-05 DOMINATION ABOMINATION THAT’S OUR NATION THE U.S.A. AND IT’S NOT JUST TODAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY DOMINATION ABOMINATION RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS ALL ABOUT WINNING ABOUT MURDER AND STEALING NOT VERY APPEALING IN FACT IT IS INSANITY A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY DOMINATION ABOMINATION I STAND HERE TO REJECT IT EVERY ONE DOES AFFECT IT YOU CAN FIGHT TO OVERTHROW IT YOU CAN TELL THE WORLD YOU KNOW IT DOMINATION ABOMINATION YOU CAN RAISE YOUR KIDS WITH LOVE YOU CAN REFUSE TO RAISE YOUR HAND IN ANGER OR IN HATE YOU CAN CHERISH ALL OF LIFE I SWEAR IT’S NOT TOO LATE DOMINATION ABOMINATION I STAND HERE TO REJECT IT

SHAME ON YOU 6-4-10 By Nora Roman, after Israeli Commando Attack On Freedom For Gaza Flotilla ISRAELI COMMANDOS BOARDED A BOAT SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU READY TO KILL SOME INNOCENT FOLK SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU DRESSED IN BLACK WITH GUNS AND KNIVES SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU THEY RAPPELLED RIGHT DOWN AND TOOK SOME LIVES SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU HUMANITARIAN AID IS NOW A CRIME SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU TRY TO HELP THE HUNGRY AND YOU’LL DO SOME TIME SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU NURSES, DOCTORS, STUDENTS AND MOMS SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU BRINGING TOYS AND MEDICINE, NOT GUNS OR BOMBS SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU INTERNATIONAL WATERS WITH FLAGS FLOWN HIGH SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU AN ILLEGAL BLOCKADE THEY WERE THERE TO DEFIE SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU PALESTINIANS SUFFER, GAZA CRIES SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU WORLD GOVERNMENTS STAND BY AND WATCH THEM DIE SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU CHECKPOINTS, SNIPERS, BOMBS AND THE WALL SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU DESPITE IT ALL PALESTINIANS STAND TALL SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU BEATINGS, TORTURE, KIDS IN YOUR JAILS SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU BUT IT WILL END OPPRESSION ALWAYS FAILS SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU ZIONISM IS FRUIT FROM THE POISON TREE SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON YOU THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL BE FREE THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL BE FREE THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL BE FREE