I'd Rather Be Dancing (Rachel Corrie's Song). By Jim Page

The words of this song by Jim Page are based on letters that Rachel Corrie wrote home to her parents, before she was crushed to death in March 2003 by an Israeli military bulldozer, which Rachel was trying to prevent demolishing the home of a Palestinian doctor. SEE ()

LYRICS:

you know I was always the one

I could never stand idly by

and watch while the bullies beat up on the weaker ones

I had to do something to try

and I never gave up on people

that we could be better somehow

morality's compass, you gave it to me

I still follow it now

well, I couldn't stop thinking about it

I couldn't get it out of my mind

the pictures, the stories, the plight of the people

in occupied Palestine

how my government makes me complicit

with the political aid that they send

so I packed up my bags and I headed to Rafa

to work with the ISM

and I'd rather be dancing, dancing and falling in love

but if I just can just watch from a distance then what am I made of

mama these people are so good to me

they treat me like one of their own

they feed me and see to my needs

and let me sleep in their home

papa their lives are so hard

the gun shots night

the road blocks, the strip searches, the humiliations

papa it just isn't right

I can feel my privilege around me

it's there in my American face

I could wave my passport around like a flag

and I would be safe in this place

for these child soldiers of Israel

they look like the boys back home

and if it wasn't for American money

they'd have to leave these people alone

and I'd rather be dancing, dancing to Pat Benatar

but somebody has to do somethin' about it and here we are

the tractors are coming today

they're like tanks with bulldozer blades

the name on the side says Caterpillar

that means they're American made

well, I am American too

and I'll be where everybody can see

so if they want to run over these houses today

they're gonna have to run over me

it's dangerous takin' a stand

but it's dangerous running away

sometimes you have to face up to the danger

there is just no other way

for there are such beautiful dreams

I have seen the eyes of a child

and if I can just make one little difference

then I think my life is worth while

and I'd rather be dancing, but instead I'm saying goodbye

but we'll meet again when it's over, don't cry

and I'd rather be dancing, and surely we'd all rather be

and one day we'll dance in a world that's peaceful and free