This video shows the very beginnings of the first song that Susie Major (singer for RagDolls) and I are writing together. Susie sent me a snippet of music she’d written on piano, along with a very pretty melody, and I thought it’d make a beautiful, bittersweet chorus.

At the time, I was reading the autobiography of Ani DiFranco. I was really inspired by the depths of her activism and dedication to making the world a better place, and this song was directly influenced by that. It ended up being a song written from the point of view of someone who’s been at the forefront of an uphill battle against the powers-that-be.

I imagine the person singing this song to a young protege (like maybe a Martin Luther King Jr. speaking to a young John Lewis).

It’s intended to be a hopeful song, and I intend to do my best to stay hopeful about 2021.

Right now, things are absolutely crazy with COVID-19 in Los Angeles ~ the ICUs are overflowing and it’s expected to get worse before it gets better. But in the long run, I have hope that we can beat this, just as I have hope that we can work to improve our world in so many ways. 🐬🌈 🌺

Light The Way (first draft)

We live for silver linings
They get us through these cloudy days
Keep battling Goliath, even though we know he’s rigged the game

Been lucky and able to have strength to carry on
But still I worry
What’ll happen when I’m gone?

I’ve been waiting for the day
I could lose my mask and cape
Let another savior take the reins

 And when all is said and done
I hope you can be that sun
Shining bright and helping light the way

Light the way

 When the word goes out for volunteers
You never hesitate
In the never-ending relay between generations
You are the hope
As pink replaces grey 

Now that all is said and done
I know you could be the sun
Shining bright and helping light the way

 I’ve been waiting for the day
I could lose my mask and cape
Let another savior take the reins

and Light the way

Written by Ali Handal & Susie Major ⓒ2020