Song for Oscar Grant

High-quality studio recording of this song is on my album, All the News That's Fit to Sing:

Oscar Grant was executed by a BART cop on the platform in Oakland while lying face-down on the pavement, his hands cuffed behind his back. He was shot in the back, in the wee hours of New Year's Day, 2009. The cop who murdered him served 11 months in prison. I wrote this song a few days ago (January, 2014) after watching the excellent film about this incident, Fruitvale Station, on a flight from New York to Dublin.

Lyrics:

There was a man who had a little girl
And she was his one and only daughter
Not every oyster has a little pearl
But this one did and they lived by the water
On the eastern side of San Francisco bay
Where the mountains meet the ocean
Together there they would greet the day
By Fruitvale Station
And now the trains seem louder than they used to be
There by the Oakland ocean side
When you look out at the horizon now what do you see
Since the day your daddy died

He dropped her off at school for the day
Looked for work, tried to make some money
Obstacles, road blocks in the way
In this land of milk and honey
Dad and mom went out one winter night
Their only plan, to greet New Year
Fireworks and blunts, it's only right
Til 2009 was here
They were coming back from the celebration
On a train that rode beneath the rising tide
They got off at Fruitvale Station
On the day your daddy died

They just wanted to go home and go to bed
They stepped off the train onto the platform
Punches thrown, angry words were said
Then came the men in uniform
Face down, cuffs behind his back
No way to fight or run
That's the time the cop chose to attack
That's when he fired his gun
Prayers were prayed as the sun rose
And how his mama cried
Time stood still and the world froze
On the day your daddy died

[Benjaminthegrey]

What a beautiful, terrible song, David. I wish you didn't have to write it, but I'm glad someone did. Oscar Grant, Kelly Thomas, and many others killed by police deserve justice, and songs like this are a small step towards that. May the universe conspire to help you on your journey, David. Have fun in Ireland!

[lukemartin]

I just ed wached the movie I'm 15 now this took place when I was only 9 and my prayers go out to his family and him self oscar grant R.I.P

[texfishindude]

Great tribute to Oscar love the song prayers go out to his family and you for making this heart felt song. God bless

[mylareson]

Tears are streaming down my face as I listen to this beautiful tribute to Oscar Grant.

[nimnestl]

There is always a silver lining. This heinous act led me to discover a beautiful, haunting song by an incredible musician. Thank you for sharing, David.

[GM]

I'm not proud to say it but I'm still full of hatred because of this cop! I just watched the movie and I haven't been aware of this before. I know that black people often get treated like crap by the police. And know I saw how racist the whole system is. All the judges are and I hate them for this as well. They are the ones who should bring justice!

[karlgreenblatt]

I can post this or share but cant give thumbs up?