let me listen - Dan Forrest / Charles Anthony Silvestri

Commissioned and performed by Staley High School (Kansas City, Missouri) on their 2023 Civil Rights Tour with Dan Forrest, piano, and Isaac Greene, guitar. Conducted by Tracy Resseguie.
Filmed live at Furman University's Daniel Chapel and Taylors Mill (Greenville, SC).
Audio and Videography by Jered McKenna.
Music by Dan Forrest / Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri.
Sheet Music copyrighted and published by The Music of Dan Forrest, available at https://beckenhorstpress.com/let-me-l.... (Also available for SSAA or TTBB choirs).

From the composer: "Written as a statement of support for, and allyship with, our Black brothers and sisters (as well as all people of color). Too often, in any aspect of life, we explain away other people’s experiences instead of seeking to understand experiences that differ from our own; we’re so busy talking about our own viewpoints that we fail to listen to the voices we most need to hear. I asked Tony Silvestri to write a text called let me listen that could function as a personal statement from me to people I need to listen to- especially to my friends of color. This the text that resulted- words that speak powerfully for any situation where we need to listen to those who have been marginalized or mistreated, not heard or believed."

let me listen

We come from different places,
You and I,
on different paths we journey;
let me walk beside you for a while –
let me listen.

So briefly do our lonely paths converge,
Yours and mine,
along this human journey;
what hollow loss to never hear your song –
let me listen.

Let me listen,
let me listen as you tell your story:
Your triumphs and your tears,
Your trials and your fears.
Your story never has been mine to tell –
so let me listen.

And if a silence is your choice to keep,
then I will keep it with you;
as long as we walk together,
You and I,
I will listen.

Too long you’ve waited, too long,
to share your journey, your song –
so let me listen.

– Charles Anthony Silvestri