Monica

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS by Peter Mawanga & Andrew Finn Magill

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about

The music "Waiting for the Rains" was inspired by a two-week old HIV-positive orphan. I have never seen life so fragile. The number of orphans in Malawi are legion, which is a social travesty that will need sensitivity and strong community support for years to come. Monica, who is Q Malawezi's adopted younger sister was born with HIV and passed away in the year 2000. Q's poem tackles the culture of silence as one of the major factors that destroys people's hope. This piece is intended for the many orphaned children who have had no choice but to carry their parent's legacy in their blood. We dedicate this to Monica.

lyrics

A secret is merely an untold truth
That easily turns toxic with when kept
The secret in our hearts you kept in your blood
A terrible secret that claimed you in your youth

Sleep little girl, sleep
The secret can't hurt you no more

Out of the heart the mouth speaks
But somehow from our eyes the secret leaked
Confirming your fears of our silent conspiracy
We held the truth as you befriended myths

What kind of love allows this in His child
If Love is really pure how can this be kind
Left alone to guess what was in your blood
Let alone what it would do to your heart

From my mouth now the secret leaks
Into your grave I hope it seeps
Sorry for not telling what we all knew
For both our silence and the secret claimed you

Luluele lulule
Mwana atonthole mwana apumule
Aitana amake mwana agone

Baby should stop crying, baby should rest
Mother says, child go to sleep

credits

from Mau a Malawi: Stories of AIDS, released October 12, 2011
Q Malawezi: vocals (spoken)
Peter Mawanga: vocals (sung) and guitar
Andrew Finn Magill: violins
Seth Barden: bass

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about

Andrew Finn Magill Asheville, North Carolina

For twenty years violinist/fiddler and composer Andrew Finn Magill has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle and he has performed with everyone from grammy-nominees Trio Brasileiro to Rising Appalachia. ... more