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Still Human, Still Here

from Still Human by Ian Peacock

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about

This song title was inspired by an initiative of the same name (stillhumanstillhere.wordpress.com) which is a coalition of over 60 organisations working to end destitution of refused asylum seekers in the UK.

Whilst volunteering for a Manchester based charity called The Boaz Trust, who work with destitute asylum seekers, I began to learn of the plight of individuals who came to the UK, often from war torn countries such as Iraq, Sudan, Nigeria or Libya, seeking refuge and a chance to start a new life. Tragically, many face racism, hardship and a government who don't believe their stories. They become trapped in a system which is broken and can wait years (I know some who've been here for over ten years) with no decision about their case but have not been deported. In the mean time, they are not allowed to work and have no access to benefits, leaving them absolutely dependent on charity and good will. They become like 'living ghosts'. It's scandalous. Like the rest of us, they are human beings and deserve much better.

lyrics

Walk a mile in the sandals, feel the scandal of a lost soul
Left my home, fled the violence, sought aslyum in a new world
Packed my hopes in a rucksack, walked the train track to the border
Paid a price, forged a passport, pray I’m not caught by the law force
Squeezed inside a container, now a sailor on a lone voyage

Still human, I’m still here, still living with my fear
You might wish I’d disappear, I’m still breathing, I’m still here
Still human, I’m still here, still drowning in these tears
And though freedom is so near, I’m still shackled, I’m still here
Still human, I’m still here, still human, I’m still here, still human,
I’m still here, still human

Been a while in a strange place, with a court case undecided
Gave my file to a law firm, but the short term, I’m just stranded
Tried to prove I’m in danger, but a stranger can’t be trusted
And as I wait with no meaning and no money I go hungry
I go hungry…

credits

from Still Human, released January 9, 2016

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Ian Peacock image

Ian Peacock Manchester, UK

Ian has played in bands for over 20 years, most notably headlining the UK Play stage at Leeds Carling Festival in 2000 with a former band, ‘Coasta’. He has written, produced and self released five albums: 'Life and After' (2009), 'The End of Faith' (2012) and 'This Time Tomorrow' (2014), 'Still Human' (2015), 'Ordinary People' (2016) in addition to several E.P's. ... more

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