Alternative lyrics for ME
This is my arrangement of Blowin' in the Wind with alternative lyrics, performed by ME patients and their carers from around the world. If you have enjoyed watching this video, please donate to ME Research UK via www.justgiving.com/Rob40 or to any of the other charities that support biomedical ME research. About the song: Originally written and recorded by Bob Dylan for his breakthrough 1963 Freewheelin’ album, I started working on my own alternative lyrics of Blowin’ in the Wind in 2016. It wasn’t until the end of last year that I stumbled upon the idea of recording it with other people with ME and their carers from around the world. Having posted messages on forums and social media, I was encouraged by the number of replies I received from people who were interested to take part. Sadly, several volunteers had to drop out because they were not well enough to record themselves singing. However, the final recording includes the voices of 18 people from 7 different countries – most of whom have never met or communicated with each other. Originally, I was only going to use the extra voices for the choruses, but Kaeley’s harmony was so beautiful that I felt compelled to use it throughout the song. I had no experience of doing anything like this before. I have never sung in a choir or been well enough to play my guitar in public, and I’d never tried mixing more than one person’s voice, so I had no idea if it would work or not. But I am pleased with the final result. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work with so many talented and motivated people from the international ME community. As well as all the singers, I am indebted to Anna and Jonas for providing me with the images for the video from their ME Perspective website, and for their help and enthusiasm throughout the project (see https://meperspective.wixsite.com/meperspective). I very much hope that our combined efforts will help to raise awareness of our struggle, the ignorance and injustices we face, and the desperate need for a huge increase in investment in biomedical ME research. The song is dedicated to Anne Örtegren. I never knew Anne, or had any contact with her, but I had just read her beautifully written and deeply moving Farewell Letter when I recorded the song, and she has been very much in my mind throughout the process of production (
Credits: Guitar and vocals: Robert Saunders (aka Robert McMullen; West Sussex, UK) Harmony: Kaeley Pruit-Hamm (Seattle, WA, USA) Chorus: Christina Kalinen (London, UK); Nikki Franklin (West Sussex, UK); Leela (USA); Maya Leutwiler (Zürich, Switzerland); Darla Nagel (Flushing, Michigan, USA); Lorna Robinson (West Sussex, UK); Olivia Rowe (North Cornwall, UK); Noa Henrietta Ruscheweyh-Sternberg (Hamburg, Germany); Barbara Saunders (West Sussex, UK); Emma Shorter (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK); Richard Shorter (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK); Simas (Lithuania); Becky Taurog (St Paul, MN, USA); Jen “Gemma” Taylor (Hagerstown, Maryland, USA); James Wallace (Hokkaido, Japan); Zoë Williams (Oxfordshire, UK) Video images: Anna and Jonas, ME Perspective (Switzerland) Arrangement, production and alternative lyrics: Robert Saunders Original music & lyrics: Bob Dylan More information about our struggle: https://www.independent.co.uk/.../why-patients-me... To request an MP3 and/or video file to play at an event, please email asongforMEcfs@gmail.com This video is also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BncUDXRA1v4