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Quiet Years

from Ancestors by G.R. Gritt

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about

The title “Quiet Years” is inspired by my time on Haida Gwaii. I was invited to perform at the Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay Llnagaay, and I learned about the language and cultural revitalization happening in response to the "Silent Years". The Silent Years began with the smallpox epidemic, and continued with the potlatch ban, the criminalization of culture and language, and with the residential school system. The Haida had to secretly share and pass on culture and knowledge in order to survive. Indigenous peoples on this continent have experienced a parallel history with colonizers. We are still experiencing it.

This song is about the Quiet Years my grandmother inherited and experienced. It’s about wondering about the impossible decisions she had to make, and if she would have been able to speak up after all those years. I think about our collective Quiet Years - if we strung them together, how many lifetimes would that be? How many generations?

lyrics

Quiet Years

Were you singing songs in silence
Hoping to be strong?
Hanging in the balance,
Wondering how long could you hold on?
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do do)
(Mmm)
(Do do do do do do)

(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years

Have you been comforted
By their passages and prayers?
Were you trying to forgive them
For stealing all those years?
Were you trying to stay hidden
By shortening your hair?
Did you have a vision
Of a time when they wouldn’t care?

(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years

Did you keep it from your children
So they’d have a better life?
From father down to daughter
To my mother, down to mine
Did you struggle with not knowing
If the choice you made was right?
Would you have changed your mind
If there was an end in sight?

(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
(Do do do do do)
Waitin’ out the quiet years
Waitin’ out the quiet years

credits

from Ancestors, track released November 27, 2020
G.R. Gritt: Vocals, Guitars, Drum Machine, Synthesizers, Violin and Hand Drum
Ian Cardona: Drums and Percussion;
Laurie-Anne Torres: Piano, Hammond, Synthesizers and Bass Guitar
Jordon Koop: Percussion

Co-Producers: Greyson Gritt & Rae Spoon
Mixing: Jordan Koop at the Noise Floor Studio
Mastering: John Golden Mastering

Recorded on Snuneymuxw territory on Gabriola Island.

Quiet Years is written by Greyson Roy Gritt ⓒ SOCAN 2020

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G.R. Gritt Greater Sudbury, Ontario

Juno Award winning G.R. Gritt pulls effortlessly from the past to create soulful futurisms. With their new sound that elegantly weaves the melodies using vocals, guitar and electronic elements, they create both intimate and anthemic music that would fit in a folk club, a dance club and anywhere in between. G.R. Gritt is a Two-Spirit, Transgender, Francophone, Anishinaabe and Métis artist. ... more

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