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Keep Your Seatbelt On

from Maybe Man by Jim Beckwith

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A tune inspired by my trip to Ghana, West Africa with my friend Nee Sackey. His mother lived there and was getting up in age, losing her sight, and he needed to go be with her for a bit, see what was needed at the house, etc. I had a month to get my passport in order and get a Visa.

You'll hear about Nee (Nenyi) meeting his wife-to-be at the time, Nana Ya Ofori Atta, and the baby to come.

His mother had a couple of girls living there that would help her out in exchange for school tuition. One was named 'Anibah' and I would hear the call frequently - "Anibah"--and the response "Yes'm Ma". It was so musical, I knew I'd use it in a song.

Also, I was given an African name, 'Kwesi Sim-pah' by Nee's Uncle (great uncle?) which means Kwesi of Winneba. This because I was born on Sunday, but it needed something more, because Kwesi is the generic name for 'white man'.

Lastly, 'medasse' ya' means thank you. These words are used at the end of the song and I think it's nice to know what they mean when you hear them.

lyrics

Keep your seatbelt on

Sky's clouding over
umbrellas being sold
laundry's taken in
unrest getting old

mad taxi drivers
potholes in the road
they're making a change
or so I am told.
--
There is work to do
the rooms are dusty
windows won't open
the cranks are rusting

There is work to do
the mother's alone
some people say
you can never go home

Keep your seatbelt on
Stay in the flow,
you just never know
what’s coming along…
Keep your seatbelt on
Don't go it alone
We're going the distance, and
I’ll take you all the way home

clouds move fast
the horns are blown
ground is wet
seeds are sown

rains fall hard
we're feeling good
trees are blown
no more dead wood

Trust me, trust me That I -
damn well must be
Living up to just who I am
Come-on babe
we’ve come too far
To get out now
don’t stop the car

There's work to do
harder than you've seen,
it will take you places
you've - never been.

There is work to do
the mother's alone
some people say
you can never go home

Listen to the heart
'cause home is where the heart is
Listen to the heart
and you can always go home

You should be
Singing and dancing
moving around
embracing the joy
of a beautiful sound

Chorus

Anibah, Yes'm ma
Kwesi Sim-pa, Medasse, ya

credits

from Maybe Man, released October 1, 2011
Jim Beckwith, guitar and vocals

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Jim Beckwith Milan, Italy

Jim Beckwith is a fine writer of lyrics to inspire & a unique & compelling voice; a soulful texture that draws on influences from jazz and pop to R&B and voices from around the world. His voice has been called 'a male Sade' & something like 'a refined Sting'. Songs with lyrics that make you think & feel. Jim has players on his albums that play with artists like Sting, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor. ... more

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