"East Side West Side" Just In Time For Earth Day
An east-coast hippie at heart, Ruth Ungar wrote this chorus while walking the unfamiliar streets of San Francisco, on tour with The Mammals. “Seeing the faces of the old and young walking by, I wondered if it was possible to still write an uplifting ‘we can do it’ song in this day and age… like with the big, positive energy of ‘we are the world’ or something from ‘free to be you and me,’” she smiles. “I live, like most Americans, right next door to people who don’t vote the way I vote. Each time fear starts to rise I remind myself we have a whole lot in common too. Somehow that fact feels powerful and important. I want us all to come together as much as we possibly can, and expand my own heart and viewpoints as much as I can.”
Such lofty goals may seem a stretch, but this song gets to the heart of that mission, with a funky bass-line, a banjo roll, and simple but direct lyrics.
He said this land is your land and he said this land is mine
Let’s not leave it dirty for the ones who come behind
It’s ours to care for and it’s ours to share
We’ve all gotta drink the water and we’ve all gotta breathe the air
The track’s secret (peaceful) weapon is what Ungar calls “a Woodstock choir” of very talented home-town pals Gayle Ann Dorsey, Zach Djanikian, Connor Kennedy, Will Bryant, Joan Henry, and Jayla Kai Smith.
Hear the track today and pre-order the full Nonet album online. A deluxe edition CD featuring the 10 song album plus a bonus disc of 5 songs will be available on May 22
East Side West Side
(R. Ungar)
I’m singin’ from the north side to the south side
We could be stronger than ever before
I’m singin’ from the east side to the west side
From the shore to the shinin’ shore
Keep a-walkin’ on a good path ‘round the big world
Come back and tell me what you’ve found
We can fight or we can wrestle with the details
But we’re standin’ on common ground
If this land is your land, if this land is mine
Then let’s not leave it dirty for the ones that come behind
It’s our to care for and it’s ours share
We’ve all gotta drink the water and we’ve all gotta breathe the air
I’m singin’ from the north side to the south side
We could be stronger than ever before
I’m singin’ from the east side to the west side
From the shore to the shinin’ shore
Keep a-walkin’ on a good path ‘round the big world
Come back and tell me what you’ve found
We can fight or we can wrestle with the details
But we’re standin’ on common ground
We don’t have to agree on everything and that’s ok
But let’s agree on something and make a better day
I’m not sayin that we’re better, not lookin' for a boast or a brag
But i’d like to feel proud when i look up at that flag
I’m singin’ from the north side to the south side
We could be stronger than ever before
I’m singin’ from the east side to the west side
From the shore to the shinin’ shore
Keep a-walkin’ on a good path ‘round the big world
Come back and tell me what you’ve found
We can fight or we can wrestle with the details
But we’re standin’ on common ground
My country tis of thee sweet land of liberty
Close minded bigotry open hostility
So stand or take a knee just join your hands with me
Let freedom ring come on let me hear you sing
I’m singin’ from the north side to the south side
We could be stronger than ever before
I’m singin’ from the east side to the west side
From the shore to the shinin’ shore
Keep a-walkin’ on a good path ‘round the big world
Come back and tell me what you’ve found
We can fight or we can wrestle with the details
But where are we standin’. . .