On my way home from the Babaylan Conference in April, I was listening to the Public Broadcast Station Radio(a treat for me because the kids weren’t in the car) I was feeling very PILIPINA from the events of the day. Reliving moments, connections I made from fellow Babaylan, feelings I experienced from rituals and concepts learned to confirmed some inner knowledge within me.

PBS was doing an interview with Mr. Byrne’s new album released in April 10. I’m thinking, “Wow, the irony of the day, to hear an interview about a tribute to Imelda Marcos…” It’s not what I thought it would be.

I’ll reserve my thoughts and opinions…
“Please Don’t” video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEBDDPhwYeE

wiki info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_Lies_Love
David’s link
http://www.davidbyrne.com/here_lies_love/order.php

“Through a series of songs written by David Byrne, with musical contributions from Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook), Here Lies Love – A Song Cycle presents Imelda Marcos meditating on events in her life, from her childhood spent in poverty and her rise to power to her ultimate departure from the palace. In particular, the production looks at the relationship between Imelda and a servant from her childhood, Estrella Cumpas, who appeared at key moments in Imelda’s life.”

Lyrics to the songs, INTERESTING...
1. HERE LIES LOVE

When I was a young girl in Leyte
My dresses were all hand-me-downs and scraps
I’d see the people smile, when I would sing for them
How happy they all seemed—when I would dance

We lived a stone’s throw from the palace
A simple country girl who had a dream
The ladies passing by, a better class than I
How much it meant to me to be like these

Is it a sin to love too much?
Is it a sin to care?
I do it all for you
How can it be unfair?

I know that when my number’s up
When I am called by God above
Don’t have my name inscribed into the stone
Just say:
Here lies love…here lies love…here lies love—
Just say:
Here lies love…here lies love…here lies love—

The most important things are love and beauty
It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor
To prosper and to fly, a basic human right
The feeling in your heart that you’re secure

Is it a sin to love too much?
Is it a sin to care?
I do it all for you
How can it be unfair?
I know that when my number’s up
When I am called by God above
Don’t have my name inscribed into the stone
Just say:
Here lies love…here lies love…here lies love—
Just say:
Here lies love…here lies love…here lies love—

2. EVERY DROP OF RAIN

Estrella: I was just a young girl
A girl with curly hair
Your mother called me family
I became quite close to her

I handled all the money
Washed the clothes and made the meals
In the night she’d wake up screaming
So you children slept with me

Estrella & Imelda:
They called us garage people
Where we lived there, you and me
When you’re poor—it’s like you’re naked
And every drop of rain you feel

Estrella:
When it rained we slept on boxes
There was water all around

Imelda:
But the people in the big house
Never bothered to find out
No clothes, no bed, no jewelry
Sometimes I had no shoes

Estrella:
A typhoon came—the house collapsed
And the neighbors passed us food

Estrella & Imelda:
They called us garage people
Where we lived there, you and me
When you’re poor—it’s like you’re naked
And every drop of rain you feel

Every little tiny drop of rain you feel—every drop of rain
Every little tiny drop of rain you feel—every drop of rain

Estrella:
I handled our finances
I myself was never paid

Imelda:
My teachers paid a visit
I felt, felt so ashamed

But I had kept my dignity
Some things cannot be killed

I smiled and kept my head up
A Romualdez I was still

Estrella & Imelda:
Every little tiny drop of rain you feel—every drop of rain
Every little tiny drop of rain you feel—every drop of rain

3. YOU’LL BE TAKEN CARE OF

Precious little children—what can I do?
Someday they’ll remember—what I told you

Did it together just you and me
Without a man in this family

I didn’t raise them—it’s you they love
They will remember the things you’ve done

Sometimes I felt that I’ve lost my mind
Things didn’t work out the way we planned

And when they grow up and they make good
They will repay what I owe to—

You’ll—be taken care of
And they’ll—remember you—
Precious little children
On that you can be sure
You—will never want for more

When they grow up they’ll be kind and smart
And you will see that they’ll all go far
I haven’t long but I know it’s true
These little ones owe a lot to—

You’ll—be taken care of
And they’ll—remember you—
Precious little children
On that you can be sure
You—will never want for more

You’ll be taken care of—they’ll remember you
Someday they will give you—things I never could
You’ll be taken care of—on that you can be sure
If there’s any justice in this world you’ll never want for more

Someday—I promise you
Remember—what I say is true
Someday—I promise you
Remember—what I say is true

4. THE ROSE OF TACLOBAN

I wrote inside my yearbook
“To try is to succeed
Fried chicken and the rumba
The colors pink and cream”

Ninoy was my first love
But he said I was too tall
A rich girl stole the sweetheart
Of the Rose of Tacloban

The heart grows slightly colder
Necessary to survive
And money makes it easy
In many people’s lives

The sky above protects us
Don’t know what I will become
Or what lies beyond tomorrow
For the Rose of Tacloban

Elegant women on a magazine page
Elegant women, like a paper parade
I don’t go out dancing, I just stay at home
Cutting out their faces, and replacing them with my own
Cutting out their faces, and replacing them with my own

The sky above protects us
Don’t know what I will become
Or what lies beyond tomorrow
For the Rose of Tacloban
What lies beyond tomorrow for the Rose—
Of Tacloban

5. HOW ARE YOU?

How are you?—I’m learning English
You’re looking good—it’s so hot today

We should keep in touch—oh, you’d better be going
It’s a long long way—to your uncle’s place

I got a job—it’s just okay
And how’s your dad?—it’s hard to say
I miss you all—it’s been so long
And who can say where love has gone?

And your life—is just beginning
And my life—is almost through
I’ve given up—never finished school
There was too much—too much work to do

How are you? Shall we get a soda?
You’re looking good—it’s so hot today
We should keep in touch—oh you’d better be going
It’s a long long way—to your uncle’s place

I was right there—right with your mother
And her last words—’fore she passed away
Did they tell you—about the promise?
Should I ask you? Tell me what’d they say?

And there’s no way that you could help me
And you’re barely better off than I
You’re a beauty—sing like an angel
We’re together for both our lives

How are you?—well I’m okay
You’re looking good—it’s hot today
I miss you all—it’s been so long
And who can tell, where love has gone?

Now I’ve really liked, this conversation
It was long ago—you were just a child
It’s getting late—I must be going
Life is hard sometimes—but I’ll be alright

How are you?
Oh, I’m okay
This is a nice place
It’s so hot today

6. A PERFECT HAND

They occupied our country
We were almost overrun
I knew if I did not react
They’d kill us, ev’ryone

I promised to my mother
She meant so much to me

That for ev’ry single tear she shed
There’d be a victory

Who’s holding aces?
And who’s gonna fold and
Who’s got a secret?
And who’s feeling bold?
It’s a winning combination
If a lady understands…that the
King and the Queen of Hearts
Could be a perfect hand

So know what you are holding
But be prepared to bluff

There are many ways to win a game
And skill is not enough

In the Senate or in business
But most of all in love
You ladies all know how things work
You know how to get things done

And if you open the door for a lady
You open a door for yourself
And a stranger’s only someone
Who you have yet to help

Who’s holding aces?
And who’s gonna fold and
Who’s got a secret?
And who’s feeling bold?
It’s a winning combination
If a lady understands…that the

King and the Queen of Hearts
Could be a perfect hand

7. ELEVEN DAYS

He’s so fast, tell me what’s his name?
It was only a moment, but I don’t feel the same

He gave me—two roses
He gave me—two roses
One is open
One is closed
One is the future
And—one is my love—

Eleven days—since the moment we met
Eleven days—I will never forget
Eleven diamonds—on the ring that he gave
I haven’t seen him—in
Eleven days
Eleven days
Eleven days
Eleven days

What am I doin’?—must be out of my mind
He pulled out the paper and I signed on the line

He gave me—two roses
He gave me—two roses
One is open
One is closed
One is the future
And—one is my love—

Eleven days—since the moment we met
Eleven days—I will never forget
Eleven diamonds—on the ring that he gave
I haven’t seen him—in
Eleven days
Eleven days
Eleven days
Eleven days

8. WHEN SHE PASSED BY

I heard that you were getting married
I always knew that you’d do well
You’re a legendary beauty
From our small provincial town

Ilocos joined to Leyte
Two important families
A glorious occasion
A foretold destiny

I followed in the morning papers
How exciting it has been
The courtship and the whirlwind romance
For the sweetest of beauty queens

He’s crazy for you
Who wouldn’t be, I’m sure
And nothing matters more than that
And you’ll never be poor no more—

How she looked when she passed by
How she looked when she passed by
I feel like I’m watching history
Living before my eyes
Many years from now
We’ll recall just how
How she looked when she passed by

I know that you are in there somewhere
Letters get misplaced in the mail
Guess that there was some confusion
Amidst those throngs and swells

Did you see me outside?
Did you see me wave?
When you passed in your car
Ah well, that’s okay—

How she looked when she passed by
How she looked when she passed by
Feel like I’m watching history
Living before my eyes
Many years from now
We’ll recall just how
How she looked when she passed by

9. WALK LIKE A WOMAN

(Imelda and answers)
He taught me— how to do it
He taught me— lightly
He taught me— you’ll get through it
He taught me— nightly

And to be married to such a man
I can’t believe how lucky I am
I am so lucky—so lucky to be
Never poor no more—I have all that I need

I’m going to learn how to walk like a woman
I’m going to learn how to dress, how to dance
I’m going to learn how to make an impression
Do anything for the love of this man

And if he loved me on the day we met
Then why must I be someone else?
The girl he married—now is that still me?
Who am I now? I ask myself

See him look at someone else
I copy her hair and the way that she dress
I live to see him look at me
That’s all I want, that’s all that I need

I’m going to learn how to walk like a woman
I’m going to learn how to dress, how to dance
I’m going to learn how to make an impression
Do anything for the love of this man

Shouldn’t he love me for the way I am?
And if he loves me, then why must I change?
Was that the reason that we fell in love?
Will he still love me if I’m not the same?

And if I bang my head on the wall for hours
Then I won’t feel the confusion no more
The New York doctor—bright yellow pills he gave me
Remind yourself what you’re doing it for—
It’s for love—it’s for love—it’s for love
It’s for love—it’s for love—it’s for love
It’s for love—(in your head, there’s nothing wrong with your heart)

I’m going to learn how to walk like a woman
I’m going to learn how to dress, how to dance
I’m going to learn how to go out in public
Do anything for the love of my man

It’s for love—it’s for love—it’s for love
It’s for love—it’s for love—it’s for love
It’s for love—(in your head, there’s nothing wrong with your heart)

10. DON’T YOU AGREE?

With my heart and with my skin
From town to town and back again
With my skin and with my soul
How each one smiles when he’s alone

And here we are—convention center
Traveled so far—crossed many rivers
No time to rest—no time to sleep
Keep movin’ on—my tired feet

Sometimes we need a hero
Can’t make it on our own
Sometimes you need a strongman
When things are out of control

Don’t you agree? Agree with me
Don’t you agree? Don’t you agree?
Don’t you agree? Agree with me
Don’t you agree? Don’t you agree?

Who needs a chair? Whose roof has leaks?
Their children’s names, what each one needs
Got my people ev’rywhere
The bellboys and the operators

Now, who stood up to the Japanese?
Who cares about the Philippines?
He’ll build a house—I’ll decorate
I’m telling all you delegates

Don’t you agree? Agree with me
Don’t you agree? Don’t you agree?
Don’t you agree? Agree with me
Don’t you agree? Don’t you agree?

Sometimes we need a hero
Can’t make it on our own
Sometimes you need a strongman
When things are out of control

11. PRETTY FACE

Will you reach—into your pockets?
And show us that you care
For the orphans, and the farmers
Ev’ryone give their share

I feel so guilty, when I’m resting
Though I rise at early dawn
For ev’ry hour that passes
I could have helped someone

And we’ll show the world
What a country girl can change
And we’ll show the whole wide world
That we have a pretty face

Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we
Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we

A thousand miles of concrete
Schools and dams and parks
Two thousand day care centers
And a center for the arts

There will always be poor people
Got to teach them how to care
If a hospital is needed
Ev’ry business give its share

And we’ll show the world
What a country girl can change
And we’ll show the whole wide world
That we have a pretty face

Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we
Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we

Some would call me Robin Hood
But this work we do I know is good
So dig a little deeper now
We’re gonna turn this thing around

Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we
Pretty face, pretty face, pretty face have we

12. LADIES IN BLUE

I have a life
It is good, you might say
My husband is best
When he works, when he plays

The maids clean the house
They take care of the kids
But I know that somehow
There is much more than this—

And we—we ladies in blue
The ripples spread out
From the stones that you threw
We—we ladies in blue
Concentric circles
From the ladies in blue

Some people might say
But I don’t need to think twice
I could be like some others
And be content with my life

But she never sleeps
Never seems to need rest
How does she do it?
And still look her best—?

We—we ladies in blue
Ripples spread out
From the stones that you threw
We—we ladies in blue
Wider and wider
From the ladies in blue

Ladies in blue, ladies in blue, ladies in blue—
Concentric circles
From the ladies in blue
Ladies in blue, ladies in blue, ladies in blue—
Wider and wider
From the stones that you threw

The world isn’t perfect
And it never may be
But ev’ry little bit helps
Some from you, some from me

Ladies in blue, ladies in blue, ladies in blue—
Concentric circles
From the ladies in blue
Ladies in blue, ladies in blue, ladies in blue—
Wider and wider
From the stones that you threw

| TOP |

DISC 2

1. DANCING TOGETHER

Went to the house of Mary Lasker
Saw Matisses, Picassos, Renoirs and Gauguins
Golf course and flowers, statues and stables
I met a Whitney, Rockefeller and Brown!

And they were dancin’, dancing together
Dancin’, oh so beautifully
Dancin’, dancing together
Dancin’, oh as if in a dream

Charles Jourdan, Oleg Cassini
There was Andy Warhol and Hanae Mori
Beautiful products all over the table
Fills my heart up with thoughts of my people

And they were dancin’, dancing together…

I love my little people
You don’t know what it’s like
I’d rather be back in my Leyte
Back in the Quonset hut

Ali Hassan, Margot Fonteyn
Christina Onassis and the Queen of Spain
Beautiful women in beautiful homes
Just out of reach if your skin’s colored brown

And they’ll be dancin’, dancing together…

“Hello Mr. Zeibel? Yes, my name is Jane Ryan—Mr. Saunders and I would like to make a deposit…”

Mm-hmm, now listen:
Breakfast with George, disco with George
It must be us who truly serve!

2. MEN WILL DO ANYTHING

You play around with that woman
Didn’t you know I cared?
Walking ’round, ev’ryone can see
A sleazy cheap affair

What’s the matter with me baby?
Am I not good enough for you?
If you prefer that slut—okay
I’ll tell you what we’ll do

Men will do anything
For a little piece of mind
Men will do anything
That’s how you keep them in line
Men will do anything
For some sweet tranquility
Men—will do anything
And there’s nothing you can do to me

Do anything that you want them to
If you leave them on their own
They’ll sign here on the dotted line
If you ignore what they have done

Like a poor little mangy puppy
With his tail between his legs
If you catch them fooling around
Outside the mosquito net

Men will do anything
For a little piece of mind
Men will do anything
That’s how you keep them in line
Men will do anything
For some sweet tranquility
Men—they’ll do anything
And there’s nothing you can do to me

3. THE WHOLE MAN

We’re talking—about the whole man
In body—in mind and in spirit
And you, give the body, what is good, good, good, good
You make him—educated

What makes a home?
The answer is love
What is love when it’s real?
The answer is beauty

We’re talking—about the whole man
When he’s whole—we see him smile
But take—just one part—away from the rest
And now he’s a—a crocodile

What makes a home?
The answer is love
What is love when it’s real?
The answer is beauty

Beauty through time
Culture and spirit
At home where he lives
He’s up when he’s in it
The heart and the home
Wherever he lives
He’s up when he’s down
He takes when he gives—

How do the children draw a tree?
Zero and one—are you following me?
Human order—woman and man
So on and on—are you seeing the plan?

Going in circles—chasing the dollar
Like a Pac-Man—a vicious creature!
Here, over here, the center is mankind
But I’ll never—be a teacher!

What makes a home?
The answer is love
What is love when it’s real?
The answer is beauty

Beauty through time
Culture and spirit
At home where he lives
He’s up when he’s in it
The heart and the home
Wherever he lives
He’s up when he’s down
He takes when he gives—he’s a:

Cos-mos man
A cross to a flower!
Switch! Recycle
Ecological order

Cos-mos man
A cross to a flower!
Switch! Recycle
Ecological order

4. NEVER SO BIG

People ask me if I knew you
I tell them, “It’s true”
You were just a simple schoolgirl
When I took care of you

One is never so big
As when one stoops down
To help someone in need
Get their feet on the ground

I gave up ev’rything
To give you both a start
And in my time of need
Could you open your heart?

Don’t make me beg—don’t turn away
She always said you’d help someday
Can I get a message through to you?
Are you the girl that I once knew?
What was I thinking of?
What am I doing here?
What was I thinking of?
What am I doing here?
Woo hoo woo hoo woo hoo
Woo hoo woo hoo woo hoo

It’s your old hometown
There’s the park and the tree
And the house where we lived
At the end of the street

It’s a crazy idea
Could I get through to you?
It won’t take very long
Just a minute or two

Never so big—never so tall
Never so big—when you are small
Never so big—never so tall
Never so big—when you are small
You never know, where love is found
God only knows, where we are bound
Woo hoo, woo hoo, woo hoo
Woo hoo, woo hoo, woo hoo
Woo hoo, woo hoo, woo hoo
Woo hoo, woo hoo, woo hoo

5. PLEASE DON’T

The world—is full—of in-tolerance
Greed—injustice—and dominance
A woman—a woman knows—knows relationships
And that’s why—why I make—make my little trips

So if—there’s a problem
It’s really better this way
I don’t need—the president
I’ll get my little bag and say:

Please don’t!—don’t let them look down on us
Please don’t!—like they used to do to me—

Nixon—Castro—Zhou Enlai
Qaddafi—is easy—and I’ll tell you why
A woman knows—just how to do—only rub his leg
He understood—my point of view—so I don’t have to beg

So if—there’s a problem
It’s really better this way
I don’t need—the president
I’ll get my little bag and say:

Please don’t!—don’t let them look down on us
Please don’t!—like they used to do to me—

Ronald Reagan—Mao Zedong—they’re all the same
Kissinger—Anwar Sadat—let me explain
Talk a bit—a little dance—champagne on ice
An hour or two—relationship—we’re friends for life!

Please don’t!—don’t let them look down on us
Please don’t!—like they used to do to me—

6. AMERICAN TROGLODYTE

I could be a dancer, maybe
I could be a judge
Used to sing that karaoke
But I, I don’t do it much

Democracy in action
There is nothin’ up my sleeve
A watermelon postcard I am
Plantin’ all my seeds

Americans are wearin’ those sexy jeans
Americans are usin’ technology
Americans are surfin’ that Internet
Americans are listenin’ to 50 Cent

Americans are buyin’ that modern art
Americans are drivin’ gigantic cars
Americans are doin’ that exercise
Americans are livin’ like troglodytes

Ev’rybody knows me
They are drinkin’ to my health
I terrorized my fam’ly and I
Terrorized myself

Evangelized my bedroom—you can
Ride away with me
All the girls together in a
Mighty symphony

Americans are playin’ that basketball
Americans are doin’ that rock and roll
Americans are goin’ to outer space
Americans are buyin’ that real estate

Americans are livin’ the simple life
Americans are dancin’ on Friday nights
Americans are goin’ to Broadway shows
Americans believe in the Holy Ghost

Americans are wearin’ that lingerie
Americans are throwin’ that shit away
Americans are watchin’ reality
Americans are goin’ from A to Z

Americans are dancin’ in discothèques
Americans are payin’ their income tax
Americans are workin’ from 9 to 5
Americans are livin’ like troglodytes

7. SOLANO AVENUE

What did I do to make you mad?
I swear I only told the truth
And none of this could hurt you now
And it’s no insult to be poor

So take back—all your money
Although I need it—more than you
Just acknowledge—that you knew me
On Solano Avenue—oohh

I didn’t mean you any harm
I didn’t mean to bring you shame
It’s not a sin that we had nothing
You and I were not to blame

When they teased you on the street
When they hurt you deep inside
To me it was—that you came running
And I held you when you cried

So take back—all your money
Although I need it—more than you
Just acknowledge—that you knew me
On Solano Avenue—oohh

8. ORDER 1081

A bomb went off this morning—raining bodies on TV
They are blaming the insurgents, they are blocking off the streets
And the smoke is rising slowly, from the barrel of a gun
The solution to disruption—Order 1081

Now the sunsets are incredible across Manila Bay
You can hear the bombers landing at the U.S. Air Force base
And somewhere in the distance, out beyond the setting sun
They will sign a proclamation—Order 1081

Now we live down by the water in a shack that’s made of wood
And the bankers need to huddle—so they need some extra room
We will find us somewhere better, there’s enough for everyone
Got a perfect explanation—Order 1081

I thought I ordered coffee but they gave me 7Up
Got to clear away these shanties and these ugly nipa huts
So the seeds of our great future, they can grow here when we’re done
And it’s clearly all because of Order 1081

For thirty days the rain fell, we were nearly washed away
The radio fell silent, nothing left to do but pray
And the senator he told us the guerrillas are on the run
And the reason they are hiding?—Order 1081

They are planting plastic flowers on the seaside esplanade
The Pope is speaking Spanish but we can’t hear what he says
Got to stop all this confusion, got to wipe away this scum
And the way to make it happen—Order 1081

It’s amazing that the soldiers somehow all know how to dance
It’s amazing how the soldiers keep the creases in their pants
Now it’s safe to walk the streets at night—a new world has begun
Ev’rybody’s sleeping soundly—thanks to 1081

9. SEVEN YEARS

Aquino:
For seven years I’ve been in here
Seven years down in the hole—they said
“Your watch, your glasses and your wedding ring
You won’t need them anymore”

I felt abandoned—I felt cast aside
So where is God who never sleeps?
I heard a voice say, “Why do you cry?”
Then I found my inner peace

Imelda:
Ninoy, you were my first love
But you said I was too tall
The heart gets stronger and grows colder
For the Rose of Tacloban
Aquino:
I begged to God could he forgive me now?
And take back all those things I said
This moment was a gift from above
Maybe it’s some kind of test

Imelda:
Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him
Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him

Ninoy, remember a long time ago
You used to walk me to my home?
Who set you free? Who built this hospital?
You think I hate you but you’re wrong

Aquino:
For seven years I wore this crucifix
A necklace that watched over me
Face to face with mortality
I let go of all my fears

Imelda:
Now my husband he might hate you
But you know I saved your life
Ninoy, don’t be a hero
I beg you, don’t get on that flight

Imelda:
Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him
Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him

Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him
Santo Niño, Santo Niño
Take good care of him

10. WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME?

Imelda:
Why don’t you love me?

Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?

Imelda & Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?

Imelda:
I gave you my life
I gave you my time
What more could I do?
I’m broken inside

Estrella:
I rose each morning
Worked way past midnight
Exhausted, expired
Now you kick me out?

Imelda & Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?
What’s a woman to do?
Why don’t you love me? (do I)
Mean so little to you?

Estrella:
It’s been—so long—our lives—
Imelda:
What’s wrong—what’s right?
Imelda & Estrella:
I did ev’rything…
Estrella:
Ev’rything was for you

Imelda & Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?

Estrella:
My legs won’t hold me
My chest feels so strange
Why don’t you love me
Was it something that I said?

Imelda:
How can you say this?
And when did you change?
You used to love me
Was it just pretend?

Imelda & Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?

Imelda:
Just look at Nixon
They tore him apart
How could you be so hard?
I gave you my heart

Estrella:
Does it add up to nothing
The years that we’ve been through

Imelda:
And how can you say this to me
Imelda & Estrella:
When I did ev’rything—
Imelda:
Ev’rything was for you

Imelda & Estrella:
Why don’t you love me?
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?