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#89 NO RIGHT TO CRUSH GOD'S PEOPLE (Live)

by Peter Kearney

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LYRICS & RESOURCE LINKS BELOW

The strong words of 'No Right to Crush God's People' are mostlyl quotations from the prophet Isaiah. An alternative title for the song could well be 'The Denunciations of Isaiah'. Strong stuff!

The song was originally published in my album 'Turn It All Around' (Songs for Peace and Justice), the first album to be released after I returned to Australia in 1982 and decided to make music my full-time work.

Most of the songs in this album were inspired by my long friendship with Fr. Ted Kennedy and his fierce advocacy for Aboriginal people at the St. Vincent's Parish in Redfern, Sydney.

Knowing that many Aboriginal people love country music I thought the musical feel of this song was quite appropriate. The recording heard here is different to the studio version originally published. It is my 'in concert' version with the Crossover group, a version much enlivened by the fiddle of Lindsay Martin, the bass of Max Burgess, and the backing vocals of Helen Archer and Claire Parkhill.

******

lyrics

NO RIGHT TO CRUSH GOD’S PEOPLE
Isaiah was a truthful man,
Close to the heart of God- he knew it well.
His lips were cleansed with a burning coal
The truth was the only thing that he could tell.
He stood upright where the mighty were,
Spoke in the fiery words they could not ignore:
"You’ve no right to crush God’s people,
No right to take advantage of the poor".

You buy the people’s houses,
Add them to the ones you already own.
You take their precious land away
And in your fine big houses you live alone.
Oh you make sure you’re protected-
You’re the ones who legislate the unjust law.
You’ve no right to crush God’s people
No right to take advantage of the poor.

For a bribe you let the guilty man go free
And put the innocent in jail.
Your heart can feel no pity
The widows and orphans cry in vain.
You leave the hungry craving
And the thirsty man you pretend you never saw.
You’ve no right to crush God’s people
No right to take advantage of the poor.

INTERLUDE

You schemers in the shadows
Your fortress is a refuge made of lies.
You think you’re wise and clever
But the hand of God will cut you down to size.
And the bare feet of lowly
Will trample on the dust of your mighty walls.
You’ve no right to crush God’s people
No right to take advantage of the poor.
You’ve no right to crush God’s people
No right to take advantage of the poor.

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Words adapted by Peter Kearney from the denunciations of Isaiah. Set to music by Peter.

credits

released November 10, 2021
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RESOURCES:
PDF Music for this song is available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/735102

CDs: a studio recording of this song is one of 12 tracks on the custom CD 'Turn It All Around. It can be ordered here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356151

The same recording is also one of 35 tracks on the double CD 'Make Me a Song - The Best of 25 years'. The double CD can be ordered here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356147

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THE RECORDING:
Recorded in concert at St. John's Hall, Dapto. Nov 22, 1990.

PETER KEARNEY (vocals, guitar)
with the group CROSSOVER:
HELEN ARCHER (vocals & percussion)
MAX BURGESS (electric double bass).
LINDSAY MARTIN (electric violin)
CLAIRE PARKHILL (vocals & recorder)

KENNY MILLER (recording engineer).
Mixed at Abergeldie Studio, Mittagong.

*******

COPYRIGHT © 1984 Peter Kearney.
This song is registered with One License, APRA and AMCOS.
Church and school licences through 'One License'.
E: info@onelicense.net

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ARTWORK: Detail from Raphael's painting of the prophet Isaiah.

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TO SEE ALL SONGS posted so far: peterkearney.bandcamp.com

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Peter Kearney Mittagong, Australia

Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.

LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page. ... more

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