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His Name

from Music is Medicine by Elexa Dawson

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    Recorded by Peter Oviatt, Moonflower Sounds. Photography by Jordan Storrer, Lifeleak Visuals.

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about

This was written early in the year when I began doing research on my genealogy through my Potawatomi ancestors. A common theme of French men and native women runs through by earliest recorded history and fairly recent history as well. Anishnabe people were trading with French fur traders since the 1500s. Although I was intending to write this album purely from an Anishnabe perspective, I learned a lot about my maternal grandmother's great-grandmother. Her name was Rosa and she is believed to be Cherokee, although her husband, who was French, would not allow her to keep her Indian identity. It also relates to the tension that still exists in a settler colonial relationship where one person loses her name and sometimes identity and is absorbed into the estate of another person. I've been in relationships where the woman just serves as an accessory in the man’s legacy and I think that's a really sad feeling that a lot of us maybe don't confront. Confronting this feeling will hopefully bring some clarity and healing to those feeling it.

lyrics

It’s a quiet life I lead. Out of the way, out of his way. Don’t wanna stay but I can’t leave and I’m afraid, be hell to pay. Keep all the secrets, this blood I bleed. Don’t want to see it, you don’t see me. And I’m ashamed, and I change my name, I take his name, you all know his name, that gift of pain. If I never made a sound would he still play with the words I say? And if I ever could be found to be without blame, would this rearrange?

credits

from Music is Medicine, released January 29, 2020
All songs written and produced by Elexa Dawson
Recorded & co-produced by Peter Oviatt at Moonflower Sounds, Taos, NM moonflowersounds.com
Mastered by Brody Wellman
Published by Lost Cowgirl Records
Photography by Jordan Storrer, Lifeleak Visuals
Graphics by Ann Freeman


Elexa Dawson - vocals, guitar, shakers
Kelby Kimberlin - electric and upright bass, bass vocal on “Circle Song”
Melissa Tastove - harmonies, djembe, shakers
Peter Oviatt - banjo, mandolin, banjola, harmonies

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Elexa Dawson Kansas

Elexa creates community-focused Americana music with soulful vocals and connection to land. Oklahoma Native, Elexa now calls Kansas her home.

Wanderlust is Elexa's sophomore release (Feb 2024) collaboration with Stanley Hotel.

Front for Heyleon and Weda Skirts. Potawatomi activist and educator, Elexa facilitates songwriting workshops, talking circles, and relational plant education. ... more

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