The Concept:
Throughout this course, I have learned a lot about the exile experience and how it is indeed a nuanced and taxing experience that varies for each individual. So for my final project, I wanted to create something that would be meaningful to me and would show the nuance of exile. I also saw this project as an opportunity to explore my Haitian language and culture and how they relate to exile. This song in particular was primarily written to express what I imagine exile can be like, as it is an experience that is different for all who go through it. However, I wanted to add a personal touch to it, which led to the second verse briefly exploring how exile relates to me as a daughter of an immigrant and as someone of Haitian descent. Essentially, this song is the product of reflecting the difficult, painful experience that is called exile.
The Process:
It took me about 30-45 minutes to write this song, and the melody came to me almost immediately. I remember quickly recording a voice note right before my vocal lesson so I wouldn’t forget how I wanted the song to go. Originally, I wrote the first verse in English and the second verse in Haitian Creole, so I thought that it would be fitting if this song was translated in both languages. Recording the song, however, took a bit longer. On the first day of working on the song with the musicians from my church, we took some time to figure out what music accompaniment would be like. It took several practice runs to figure this out. We recorded our practice runs that Saturday night for reference. About two weeks later, we met up again at the church to practice some more. Since we did not have the drummer present, the pianist used his keyboard to find a beat that could work throughout the song. After a couple hours (about three), we were finally in a good place to record the final version of the song.
Up until last night, this song did not have a title. I was talking to one of the musicians about my dilemma regarding naming the song. As we went over the lyrics together, he said something along the lines of, “you know, the song sound like a story. Maybe you can name it something like ‘the story of ..” This inspired me to title this song, “The Story of Exile.” Everything about this title feels right.
The Product:
Below you will find the lyrics to and the recording of “The Story of Exile.” Now, I am definitely not a professional singer, and the quality of the audio is the best we could do with the equipment at hand. However, what was most important to me was that the product feels authentic. And it does. I hope that you are able to get something from my reflection through the form of a song, imperfections and all ❤
The Story of Exile by Rhobie Toussaint
Piano: Job M.
Bass: Jeffrey L.
Chorus: Oh, oh-oh To leave all that you’ve known Oh, oh-oh Nowhere to call home Fighting a fight That’s debilitating Wondering why Everything can’t change Oh, oh oh It’s sad, but it’s true Not everyone can speak their truth Verse 1: Without Having to start over Running away Wondering if they will see another day Without Sleeping with one eye open All these mixed emotions Wondering if there’s a better life life there for them Chorus: Oh, oh-oh To leave all that you’ve known Oh, oh-oh Nowhere to call home Fighting a fight That’s debilitating Wondering why Everything can’t change Oh, oh oh It’s sad, but it’s true Not everyone can speak their truth Verse 2: One day my dad told me his road was not easy And for all he’s done, I should say thank you Oh, Oh oh I know my people have much strength My people from Haiti They did so many things To have a good life Chorus: Oh, oh-oh To leave all that you’ve known Oh, oh-oh Nowhere to call home Fighting a fight That’s debilitating Wondering why Everything can’t change Oh, oh oh It’s sad, but it’s true Not everyone can speak their truth
Koral: O, o-o Pou kite tout sa ou konnen O, o-o Okenn kote pou rete Wa’p goumen Li tres difisil Ou vle tout bagay chanjé O, o-o Li tris, men se verite Se pa tout moun ki ka di verite Vèsè 1 San yo pa Bezwen kòmanse ankò Kouri Ale Yo ap panse si yo ap wè yon lot jou ankò San yo pa Domni avek yon je ouvri Yo ap santi anpil bagay Panse si gen yon bi bon lavi Pou yo Koral: O, o-o Pou kite tout sa ou konnen O, o-o Okenn kote pou rete Wa’p goumen Li tres difisil Ou vle tout bagay chanjé O, o-o Li tris, men se verite Se pa tout moun ki ka di verite Vèsè 2 Yon jou Papa’m te di mwen ke wout li pa’t fasil E Pou tout sa li te pase, mwen bezwen di’l mesi O, o-o Mwen konnen pep mwen gen anpil fos, Moun mwen sot Ayiti Yon fe anpil bagay Pou gen yon bon lavi Koral: O, o-o Pou kite tout sa ou konnen O, o-o Okenn kote pou rete Wa’p goumen Li tres difisil Ou vle tout bagay chanjé O, o-o Li tris, men se verite Se pa tout moun ki ka di verite
Inside an Optimist's Mind 