This song was written in memory of my mother, Donatela "Gina" Crenshaw, who died of ALS in 2017. She was a dreamer like many of those who have immigrated to the USA in hope of a better life for themselves and their children.

Written by Nicole-Marie
Produced by Taylor Carroll at Bear Creek Recording Studio in Woodinville, WA
Mastered by Ed Brooks at Resonant Mastering in Seattle, WA
Nicole-Marie - Vocals, Background Vocals
William Mapp - Drums, Percussion
Dune Butler - Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Synths, String Arrangement
David Salonen - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Violin, String Arrangement
Charles Wicklander - Piano, Synths

Lyrics

She grew up as the poorest on the islands
Only made it to the third grade in school
When she made it to the USA with 2 girls and one on the way
She saw so many things she never knew

But she couldn't get a job with her poor English
So she tried to be the child that she once knew
By going out 'til late at night with bingo pads and disco lights
While dreaming of a better life to brew

Pre-Chorus:
And I know a thing or two about giving up your dreams
About always wanting more to feed your family
About saving face but lacking grace and having nothing to your name
And the only singing that you do is when no one's watching you

CHORUS:
Though you had nothing to leave me
No money, land or things
The most precious thing you gave me, the most precious thing I have
Is the singing voice you gave me
it's my inheritance

I realize how confused you must have been
When in 3rd grade, you would raise your hand
And the teachers would ignore the girl In ragged clothes from the poor world
Who only learned that she could never ask

And I can't imagine how terrorized you lived
By knowing who would die before they did
By knowing who was mad or sick, and feeling what was never said
And most of all, losing one of your kids

PRE-CHORUS

CHORUS