Roshni (Extended version)

from Roshni by Flobots

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Jesse Bookout
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Jon Nichols
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about

“Roshni” is a dedication to the power of connections formed by people from vastly different life experiences and a reminder that the most important conspiracy today is still the one forged by unexpected neighbors working together to build a shared future.

The song “Roshni” comes from a performance for an organization of the same name. Roshni (Hindi for “Light”) is an Aurora-based arts organization founded by Deepali Lindblom. In the summer of 2020, Roshni invited Flobots’ Jonny 5 (Jamie Laurie) to perform as part of their New American Arts Festival.

Jonny 5 took the opportunity to create an “audio-
tapestry” dedicated to the East Colfax neighborhood, composed entirely of voices of people who live and work there. In addition to sounds made by Roshni youth, the collage featured the voices of other friends, all asked to express “Together We Rise” in their native tongues, revisiting a phrase that's been at the heart of their message since the beginning.

This piece went on to become the basis of the studio version of the song.

lyrics

together we rise like fire and smoke
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
meet destiny
together we
together we rise like fire and snow
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
together we


rise
together we rise
together we rise
together we raise up
whatever the days have brought
in every phase we’re setting the stage up
with memories of better ways
of breaking bread with neighbors
when i share with you it’s an honor not a favor
everybody is a stranger in a strange land
til we make plans to be otherwise
raise hands up to the skies
like water vapors that arise
from the cold street like butterflies
or breakdancers doing boomerangs
coming back home to one great family of human beings
look into each other’s eyes
see a whole world
of a size only the most high could know
dreams of a dozen lifetimes
flood bloodlines flowing right below
the patchwork tapestry that we call skin
recall relatives like lightning bolts
thunder rolls down an ocean from an icicle
so whenever my eyes are closed
i’m praying we can keep love alive
clutch tight to the rainbows
to the sunsets and the northern lights
to the flesh tones spanning every shade
of luscious bright dust
that provides us sustenance
please don’t ever let me be color blind
sing a lullaby

together we rise like fire and smoke
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
meet destiny
together we
together we rise like fire and snow
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
together we

It's a limit of culture
Repulsive
Circling vultures
Put profits over our hearts
The opposite of what we should want
But we've got is a pit in the middle of democracy
Hostiley an avocado seed
we could pot and start watering
Stop tossing rocks at the other team
There's profit in othering
punishing gossip among other things
impossible policy
policing all of the smothered dreams
an abundance of tongue and cheek
leaves of us wondering
how love for governments
not What suffers in front me
Riga Mortis
and some chorus chords
rising tides and lower shores
democratize how we all rise like neither side is keeping score
with rock-solid accomplishments
our byproduct is monuments
those who climb as conquerors
we rise up as the opposition


together we rise like fire and smoke
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
meet destiny
together we
together we rise like fire and snow
together we conspire so we never lose hope
together reach higher than you ever could know
together we

credits

from Roshni, track released April 23, 2021
Written by:
James Laurie, Stephen Brackett, Andy Guerrero, Kenneth Ortiz, Joseph Shull, Billy Joe Marino

Produced by: Joseph Shull & Flobots

Mixed by Andrew Berlin @ The Blasting Room Studios, Fort Collins CO
Mastered by Jason Livermore @ The Blasting Room Studios, Fort Collins CO

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Flobots Denver, Colorado

Featuring dual MCs as well as a full band, Flobots are a progressive rap group from Denver, Colorado with a political conscience, musical chops, and a powerful live show. Influenced by progressive rappers such as the Roots and Common, as well as alternative hard rock bands such as Rage Against the Machine and Tool. ... more

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