Tag Archives: poetry

Burning Down: The Songs of Anarchist Prisoner Sean Swain

Listen here: http://seanswain.bandcamp.com/releases

Burning Down is a collaborative music project between anarchist prisoner Sean Swain and musicians outside of prison. The lyrics to all of the songs on this album were written by Sean. The music was written and recorded by the bands, in some cases with input from Sean. As Sean is a fan of folk and punk music, bands that reflect those genres were sought for this project. If you like a particular band, there is a link to their website, bandcamp or facebook if you click on the individual track. A physical version of this compilation will eventually be released, hopefully by the end of 2015. We are still seeking interested bands. See below for information on submissions.

This project aims to support Sean and bring his lyrics to life. It also aims to provoke interest in prisoner support in general, including collaboration with prisoners on creative projects such as this. Learn more about prisoner support at the links below:

List of prisoners: denverabc.wordpress.com/prisoners-dabc-supports/
Tips for writing letters: nycabc.wordpress.com/write-a-letter/
And in case you are wondering why we hate prisons so much:criticalresistance.org/about/not-so-common-language/

For a world without cops, cages or borders!

These songs are free to download, but you can donate to Sean’s legal defense fund at his website: seanswain.org

STILL SEEKING SUBMISSIONS!

If you are in a band and think this is a cool project, you can still write and submit a song to be included on this page. Sean has plenty of lyrics left that have not had music written for them. This is how it works: I have a document containing Sean’s lyrics. If you want to participate, I send you the document, you pick a song that hasn’t already been done, write music to it, record it, send it back to me, I put it up here. Really only seeking submissions from bands that have the ability to produce a decent quality recording with audible instruments, vocals, etc. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, please contact me (Luke) here: cottontailband@gmail.com

Fugitive Thoughts

From the back of an envelope…

The distant treeline beyond the yard
Stirs yearnings to intense
My thoughts often escape me
And take a blind run for the fence

Sometimes the tower shoots them
Sometimes the dogs attack
They’re always butchered bloody
By the time I get them back

Sometimes they’re dead and dangling
Sometimes they get away
Just to find no place to go
But that’s the price they pay.

You too may see this window view
Or face the gallow’s pole
So if you harbor my fugitive thoughts
Don’t ever tell a soul.