A Better Day Will Come

Every so often I get inspired to write a song (there were a few years in my life when I wrote dozens, but in recent years, one or two or year is all that come). But I was in a music rich environment--the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, better known as Clifftop, among old-time musicians last week. It's an amazing experience at Camp Washington Carver in the hills of Fayette County, WV where every year thousands of musicians who play fiddles, banjos, guitars, and assorted other string and non-string instruments gather for 10 days of camping, jamming, dancing, and competing in individual and band contests. My brain was full of music, and I wrote four new melodies. One of them was especially beautiful, not just in my opinion, but in the opinion of several who heard and played it. I was asked what the title was, and answered, I don't know, but it feels hopeful. When I play it, I keep thinking that it's saying a better day will come. "That's your title," he replied.

The morning I was packing to leave, words to it started coming to mind, and as I drove, I sang into my i-Phone. In the next couple weeks I plan to record a simple version of it, but I hope I can convince other musicians to record it as well. I could imagine it being orchestrated or being played by a rock band, a string band, or an acapella choir. Here are the lyrics:

A Better Day Will Come

by Paul Epstein ©2017

We are frightened. He is ignorant and rude.

They are threatening our whole way of life. 

We’re resisting. We are marching in the streets.

We are ready for a long and brutal fight.

Take my hand. Give your heart.

We don’t know where this will end, but we must start.

For the good of all, we’ll find a way.

We must believe that there will come a better day.

We are angry. We want justice for all.

We should make the wealthy pay their share.

There’s corruption going right to the top.

We will fight for our rights and what is fair

Decent jobs, living wage,

We need health care for all without delay.

Get out the vote, make calls, or pray

We must believe that there will come a better day

Take my hand. Give your heart.

We don’t know where this will end, but we must start.

For the good of all, we’ll find a way.

We must believe that there will come a better day.