From the recording All That Really Matters
$20 Bill (for George Floyd)
(by Tom Prasada-Rao | ©2020 Simple Gift BMI)
Kim Moberg: Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar
Jon Evans: Upright Bass, Tenor Guitar, Harmony Vocals
Shortly after the murder of George Floyd, singer/songwriter Tom Prasada-Rao was moved to write this song. I was deeply touched by the poignant simplicity of his lyrics and their power to capture this horrific moment that ultimately sparked a movement. Tom invited a handful of artists to contribute our versions to his compilation project with all proceeds to benefit the Black Lives Matter Survival Fund. Sadly, Tom passed away before he could realize his vision, but I chose to release my version to help keep his song alive. Tom’s words force us to see how the brutality against one black man is representative of the ongoing systemic disease of racism that continues to plague our society.
Lyrics
Some people die for honor
Some people die for love
Some people die while singing
To the heavens above
Some people die believing
In the cross on Calvary Hill
And some people die
In the blink of an eye
For a twenty dollar bill
Some people go out in glory
Yeah, with wind at their back
Some get to tell their own story
Write their own epitaph
Sometimes you see it coming
Sometimes you don’t know until
You run out breath
With a knee on your neck
For a twenty dollar bill
Oh brother, I never knew you
And now, now I never will
But I will make this promise to you
I’ll remember you still
So let this be our communion
It’s time to break the bread
Do this in remembrance
Like the Good Book said
Sometimes the wine is sacrament
Sometimes the blood is just spilled
Sometimes the law is the devil’s last straw
A future unfulfilled
Like the dream they killed
For a twenty dollar bill