Wednesday night, having returned (somewhat) to earth after the election, I knew I needed to express the hope and excitement I felt in a song. I recalled a phrase from Obama's victory speech--"we must call upon our better angels;" I knew then that would be the song's title and recurring lyrical theme, but the song itself did not come together until the wee hours of Friday morning. Stephen Lee Rich and I practiced it and sang it at Two Way Street Coffeehouse that night. In the audience was WDCB-FM's Lilli Kuzma, who was kind enough to have me record it in the studio on Sunday. (Also there were February Sky--Phil Cooper and Susan Urban--who recorded some songs and interviews from and about their new eponymous CD, which I highly recommend). I promised I would post the lyrics. but I don't have a copy of the recording yet. But you can hear it (and Lilli's interview with me) Tues. night Nov. 18 on Lilli's "Folk Festival" show fron 7-9pm on WDCB 90.9 FM and streaming at www.wdcb.org. I could not get the text editor to properly display the chords as I typed them (but I can send them to you on request). Here are the lyrics: OUR BETTER ANGELS ©2008 by S. Andina 1.Our better angels--Will come through after all We're a people divided But we're tearing down that wall. Our better angels--When we called them they came And this nation will never be the same. 2.Our better angels--Help us make our choice They will bring us together And we're singing with one voice. Our better angels--Hold the demons at bay Take us by the heart and show us all the way. CH: We stand at the bottom But we'll climb up that hill. Yes we can, yes we did, and yes we will. 3.Our better angels--Help us do what is right We invoked them together On that warm November night Our better angels--We were summoned to bring And through them we can do anything. CH BR: Was it only four years Since we first saw the man Who challenged our assumptions And told us "yes we can? To ignore our fears. But there's still work to do Let's dare to make our grandest dreams come true. 1.Our better angels--Are they up to the task? They will do freedom's bidding Oh, If only we will ask Our better angels--Bring us into the light The top of the mountain is in sight. CH, then CODA: We'll aim for the summit Of compassion and trust. Yes we can, yes we will, and yes we must Yes we can, yes we will, and yes we must.