GRASSROOT WARRIORS

Maybe we are all GrassRoot Warriors by either championing a cause, lifting up family and friends or nurturing our best selves. If you think you are not, look a bit closer, you probably are! All of these songs were inspired by people that are currently in my day-to-day life. All but one, were written between March and June 2026.

I am very grateful to the following musicians who keep showing up for my music: Kenny DesChamp who added band tracks of various instruments on two songs. Barry Haggarty who mastered all of the songs. And Marc Lemieux for adding his harmonica to my mom's song.

Thank you to Israt Smith who took the album cover photo of us.

Thank you to my listeners out there who take the time to give my music a chance. This never gets old for me.

~ All my best, Barb

Circa 1976

My Candle

(There is a beauty and strength in the complexity of the mother/daughter bond.)

~When my candle first burned down

I could hear above the sound

I was quiet and unafraid

In black alleys where echoes are made

In black alleys there go the brave

We wept as we gave our confession

And vowed to learn the lesson

~Time to heal Release the balloons

I have broken through my child's wounds

I am sorry that we got so darn lost

Whoever knew there could be such a cost?

I knew that line would never be crossed

~As my second candle burned to the ground

I would not let it turn our lives upside down

Was I frightened and unprepared?

I just looked up and asked to be spared

I was no longer alone and scared

Sunflowers Violets and Moon Lilies

(Written for our beautiful mother, Jean Pauline)

~She is The Sunshine We know

She is The Sunshine We have grown

Ten feet tall in Her Light

We are Her Sunflowers that shine so bright

~Monday is her Washing Day

And Tuesday is for Baking Play

By Wednesday we know her worth

Our Mom in an Angel on Mother Earth

Her violets bloom and disperse

Her seeds of Love and Rebirth

~The Grandchildren loved Grandms's pond

She became like their very own magic wand

With her tadpoles and turtles and trees

Smiling faces saying, "Grandma, more please!"

By Her Gardens of Vegetables and Flowers

They'd play on and on for hours and hours

~She is The Sunshine. We know

She is The Sunshine. We have grown

With Her Love and Her Light

We are her Moon Lilies that bloom at night

We Love You Mom with all of our might

A Near Miss

(Facing your own mortality)

~My path had crumbled all but lost

My hopes and dreams all but tossed

Was my future turning black?

My children's faces came to me

Their light became my destiny

I made it to the bridge and back

For nothing saves the soul like this

The gift of A Near Miss

~Even though I did not see this comin'

And fear fuelled my heart a-drummin'

My families' voices shone through thin cracks

You know that I would be lyin'

If I did not say that it was Brian

Who kept at bay those panic attacks

~So when you're sittin' in that waiting room

And your inner voice is spewing doom

Know there will be a way

You will not see. You will not hear

Everything will seem so unclear

Know there will be another day

One day One day At a time

00:00 / 00:24

Your Grave

(Living without your SoulMate)

~There are no crumbs on the floor

No fingerprints on the microwave

No towel tossed on the toilet

I stand beside Your Grave

No costumes for Halloween

In this Lonely World you left behind

You Ghosted me for the Other Side

That will Haunt me for the rest of my Life

~I know I kick I know I shout

When your things are strewn all about

But I circle 'round Try to behave

I sit upon Your Grave

No presents for Christmas

A World of Angels left behind

I will look for you on the Other Side

I will find you in Eternal Time

~It did not take very long

To hear Your Voice in every song

It was Your Joy that you gave

I lie across Your Grave

No matter what the season

Our Love right from the start

Forever is The Reason

I memorized Your Heart

there are no crumbs on the floor

no fingerprints on the microwave

GrassRoot Warriors

(A Prayer from a group of people who are protecting the Serpent River Watershed.)

~Mother Earth is crying out

Her message crystal clear

Her battle call We hear Her shout

GrassRoot Warriors are here

~To pay witness To protest

Protect against the buccaneer

This Sacred Land Ceremony strong

GrassRoot Warriors Fix the wrong

GrassRoot Warriors Sing the song

GrassRoot Warriors Drum along

To the answers found in our questions

Only fools never learn Her Lessons

~The deer grazes on a hill

The otter slithers away at will

The moth flies into firelight

The primrose blooms at night

~Her Creations In our care

No surrender Is our prayer

We have knowledge and Spirit

We know our worth

GrassRoot Warriors defend Mother Earth

GrassRoot Warriors. Sweet grass roots

The Bear Eagle Buffalo Owl that hoots

All the answers found in our questions

Only fools never learn Her Lessons

All Songs can be found at the above, plus all other streaming platforms.