Dajabón Crossing (lyrics)

by Emily Stebbins

Download Dajabón Crossing MP3  WMA

Her face is blue-black, his gun at his side
The shape of his hand slap burns on her thigh
"Get moving," he barks without meeting her eyes
She walks slowly away with her head held high

Chorus:
     She just crossed the Massacre River
     To peddle some sneakers and cheap cologne
     She just crossed the Massacre River
     She'll pick up her weary bones and take the mean old road home

The sweetness of sugar, the salt taste of blood
The bitter brown coffee, watch her wade through the mud
Cross the shallow brown water, past the soldier's guns
Bring back money to feed her hungry little ones

Chorus

And she's one of so many who have nothing at all
On the dry side of the island where naked mountains fall
With so little between them and the reaper's call
Tell me how do they all still walk so proud and tall

Chorus

End with "Follow the Drinking Gourd" melody

Emily Stebbins is a third-year student at Fairhaven College, with a concentration in Human Ecology and Sustainable Community Development and a Spanish major.

back to songs