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Simple Steps

by Andrea Menard

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1.
Metis Hands 03:48
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Métis Hands written by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, Sept 2005 When the Voyageurs first came ils n’attandaient pas d’etre peres of a new nation sur une vielle terre (ils travallaient si fort) ils etaient si fier of their newfound family dont je suis soeur, tu es frere Look in these Métis eyes hold these Métis hands’ we’re all held together, by love, by this land we are family, we’re all family When the winds of change were upon them the ladies braced the wind they opened up their hearts and homes and took the strangers in elles prevoyaient l’avenir they saw their babies eyes burntwood faces under prairies skies Look in these Métis eyes hold these Métis hands’ we’re all held together, by love by this land we are family, we’re all family Ecoutez mes enfants l’histoire vous appartient c’est ecrit dans la ceinture fleche c’est ecrit dans vos mains children listen the future’s in your hands Weave together our story strand by strand Look in these Métis eyes hold these Métis hands’ we’re all held together by love, by this land we are family, we’re all family
2.
Enough Room 03:49
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Enough Room by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, and Lee Kozak December 2003 I’m a little prairie girl from the land of great big sky. And I’m drowning in a sea of open fields. With all this space, I need more space, I need my space! I’m stuck here on the ground, too many people around. You never see birds collide, so why do we? Look at the grace in their flight, so why can’t we…. Be sure of our wing span? Is there enough room, down here? Enough room, to let our dreams out? Now, I’m a big city girl in a tower made of glass and I’ve climbed about as high as I can climb Almost at the top, but I can’t stop, I just can’t stop I need some air, gotta be more up there You never see birds collide, so why do we? Look at the grace in their flight, so why can’t we…. Be sure of our wing span? Is there enough room, down here? Enough room, to let our dreams out? Wouldn’t it be so much fun To fly around in unison? So why can’t we? Why can’t we? You never see birds collide, so why do we? Look at the grace in their flight, so why can’t we…. Be sure of our wing span? Is there enough room, down here? Enough room, to let our dreams out? Is there enough room, down here? Enough room, to let our dreams out?
3.
My Laughing Fool 03:10
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My Laughing Fool by Andrea Menard and Robert Walsh July 2005 My laughing fool is everyone’s hero He brightens up everyone’s day My laughing fool tips his hat to the waitress He flirts and sends a smile her way. My laughing fool is an old story teller His colourful tales are not lies My laughing fool prefers made-up adventures His real life is wrapped in disguise My laughing fool has quite a history He remembers hanging out with the guys My laughing fool runs away from the memories That bring back those painful goodbyes My laughing fool has a heart like his people But he thinks his heart’s hard like a stone. My laughing fool is surrounded by strangers They keep him from being alone There is someone beside you, always someone beside you Angels know this sad fool by name Don’t worry fool, sorrow’s only a season I promise your laughter will come back someday My laughing fool is riddled with sadness He flounders without his routine My laughing fool feels his faith has deserted He’s the saddest fool that you’ve ever seen. But my laughing fool is everyone’s hero He brightens up everyone’s day My laughing fool is coming around He seems to be finding his way. My laughing fool. My laughing fool. My laughing fool.
4.
100 Years 04:10
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100 Years by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, and Lee Kozak Feb 2004 I, for one, have awakened From the sleep that stole a hundred years I’ve been given this heart and voice A sense of history and choice But I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do I can’t abide political horseplay My eyes glaze over in retreat That’s not my field - I sing I’m an actor who plays, and I sing..lalala Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen I am rising I am awakening. Maybe my voice won’t move a mountain (If for a moment I could make you feel) But what if it could move a single heart? (Then the role I play is real) I hear Louis whispering my name (Wake up, my girl) He fanned a spark into a flame We won’t wait another hundred years, we will hear (on vous entant) Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen We are rising, We are awakening What would you have me do? Would you have me shout from the trees? Or roll up my sleeves? Or beg on my hands and knees to …. Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen We are rising, We are awakening
5.
Ancestors 03:50
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Ancestors by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, socan, July 2005 I’m looking for my ancestors, I heard they walked this way. There are no signs on the road less traveled They must be here someplace. How do you mark a nomad’s path? Or trail a puff of smoke? Looking for my ancestors, I heard they walked this way. Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya, Hey hi ya hey hi yo,. I’m looking for my ancestors, I heard they walked this way. I’m looking for the Bois Brule, they traveled to and fro You may have smelled the arubaboo, or the musky buffalo Will I find them in the churches? or find them in the schools? Looking for my ancestors, I heard they lost their way. Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya, Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya, I’m looking for my ancestors, I heard they lost their way. I can’t find my way through all these stories, There’s lies built on top of lies, Where’s the truth of those came before me? What’s my story? I can’t find my way through all these stories, I’m looking for my ancestors, I heard they danced this way. You may have seen a jigger’s step or heard a fiddle play. I feel like I know this land I feel like I’ve been here before I think I’ve found my ancestors, I know they danced this way. Hey hi yo, way hi yo, Wey hi yo, hey hi yaa ya,. Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya,. Wey hi yo, hey hi yaa ya,. Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya, Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya, Hey hi ya hey hi yaa ya,. Wey hi yo, hey hi yaa ya,. I’m looking for my ancestors, I heard they walked this way.
6.
It's Simple 03:48
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It’s Simple written by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, SOCAN, August 2005 So I’m trying to write a love song but how do I begin trying to find the melody to let the love light in The words don’t come easy but the feelings do So I’m trying to write this love song I can sing to you I guess it’s true love’s as simple as they say When you know where to start I never knew I was standing in love’s way Till I opened up my heart It’s simple, I opened up my heart Sometimes I smile when I think of you No particular reason why Just going about my business And I’ll begin to cry Sometimes I think I’m crazy That’s what these feelings do So darling lets get crazy I’m crazy for you. I guess it’s true love’s as simple as they say When you know where to start I never knew I was standing in love’s way Till I opened up my heart Till I opened up my heart Love’s as simple as a, b, c, do re mi, 1, 2, 3 You’re the one for me. Some people work so hard at love But we don’t have to try It’s not that complicated It’s simple, you’re my guy
7.
Right Here, Right Now 03:43
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RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, socan, August 2001 I packed my bags and went on a journey Looking for my pot of gold Roamed valleys and hills, till I had my fill I looked around, and here’s what I found It’s all right here, right now When I was a child, I dressed up on Sundays And sang to a man in the sky Though I loved the songs, I didn’t belong I opened heaven’s door, five other houses or more But it was all right here, right now I’m in a race and time is winning I’m always running so fast I’m falling behind, I’m never on time Don’t lose one more day, to yesterday Be right here, right now When you came my way, the angels came with you You keep me flying high When you’re not around, I’m stuck on the ground I don’t know why, I forget how to fly It’s all right here, right now I’m all right here, right now
8.
My Neighbourhood 04:07
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My Neighbourhood July 2005, Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, SOCAN It’s midnight on a Tuesday in my neighbourhood Next door, the kids are crying and their out on the lawn again They’re all alone, their waiting for their mom and dad No one that young should be lookin’ so sad. Who’s gonna hold those babies? Who’s gonna spark a light in their eyes? Who’s gonna lead them to their glory? Who’s gonna hold them tonight? Late night on a bus in my neighbourhood An old man is wakened by a scuffle across the aisle. There’s a boy with a bottle, and a girl with a bruise. I know the story, who am I to accuse? Who’s gonna hold them, they’re just babies? Who’s gonna spark a light in their eyes? Who’s gonna lead them to their glory? Who’s gonna hold them tonight? Show me a way A part I can play? Help me shine a light - tonight. A light is out in a corner of my neighbourhood Broken like the lady who’s been standing there all night The snow’s falling down, she’s shivering and no one driving around She must have been there six hours by now Who’s gonna hold her like a baby? Who’s gonna see the light in her eyes? Who’s gonna show her that she’s much more than this? Who’s gonna hold her tonight? Somebody hold the babies tonight. I wish I could hold them tonight.
9.
Dance Old Friends 03:46
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Dance Old Friends by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, socan, August 2005 Dance my old friends dance. Come and sweep me off my feet I’d love your company, take a step in time with me And dance, my old friends dance. Curled up by a campfire, in a blanket, alone I say one prayer to spirit, the other just to warm these bones I’m aching for refinement It’s dancing in the heat of this ring of stones. Dance my old friends dance. Come and sweep me off my feet I’d love your company, take a step in time with me And dance, my old friends dance. Staring out across the water, yearning to be washed clean The icy cold don’t bother my soul, but my body’s not so keen Lookin’ for deliverance It’s waltzing in the waves Give me the strength to dive in. Dance my old friends dance. Come and sweep me off my feet I’d love your company, take a step in time with me And dance, my old friends dance. Standing in a windstorm, prayin for relief With a laugh, she steals my breath away, and she runs off like a thief Playing in the garden, digging myself a hole I’m kneedeep in her darkness forced to give up my control Praying for redemption the rhythm of the earth calls me to dance and makes me whole Dance my old friends dance. Love to see you kick up your heels I’d love your company, take a step in time with me And dance, my old friends dance.
10.
Children of the Rainbow / Red River Jig 04:26
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Children of the Rainbow by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh, socan, June 2001 Red River runs like blood through this land She hides her secrets deep in the sand Coursing through history, the stories she could tell Our babies, our battles, she knows us well Red River knows we are one No one above or below Mixed bloods, pure bloods, we’re purely mixed up We are children of the rainbow We run in circles, turning red with rage but old Red River’s a wise old sage smiles to herself but she lets us run When will we learn that we all are one. Red River knows we are one No one above or below Mixed bloods, pure bloods, we’re purely mixed up We are children of the rainbow Children of the rainbow, that’s you and me Children of the rainbow, look up you’ll see One by one by one by one Together, we become, the rainbow Red River knows we are one No one above or below Mixed bloods, pure bloods, we’re purely mixed up We are children of the rainbow It’s been raining for a century or more I think I finally see a break in the storm I see colours dancing in the sky darkness is fading before my eyes Red River knows we are one No one above or below Mixed bloods, pure bloods, we’re purely mixed up We are children of the rainbow
11.
Boy For One More Day / Sur le Champ de Bataille 04:48
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A Boy for One More Day/Sur la Champ de Bataille by Andrea Menard, socan, June 2001/ by Louis Riel, 1885 What happened to this day? This day’s been marred by battle. And battle calls all men. Are you a man now, my love? Or will you stay a boy for one more day. You hear the bugle sound. You will go and fight with honour. But if, my love, you shall fall, Will it all be worthwhile? Please will you stay a boy for one more day. This war can’t be avoided. I know my people must stand. My loyalty is divided Between my love and my land. Whatever you may decide, I will wait for you. But a girl I’ll no longer be, If you are a man now, my love? Please will you stay a boy for one more day. _______ Sur le champ de bataille. Qu’est un champ de duleur On voit que sait mitrait Ca fait fremir la coeur Mourir faux mourir Chacun aura sont tous J’aime mieux mourir une brave Font tous mourir une jour.
12.
Peace 01:56
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Peace by Andrea Menard, socan, Sept 2002 There will be peace in the valley There will be peace in this valley There will be peace in this valley for me. There will be love in this family There will be love in this family There will be love in this family for me There will be light on this journey There will be light on this journey There will be light on this journey for me If I want peace in the valley If I want love in this family If I want light on this journey… It’s up to me. Cuz I am the peace, I am the love, I am the light

about

Menard’s second album, Simple Steps, describes her experiences and reflections as a proud Métis woman. The 12 original songs, written with long-time collaborator and producer Robert Walsh, are “a little bit country, and a whole lot of folk,” and honour the music Menard grew up with.

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released October 5, 2005

Written by Andrea Menard, Robert Walsh (SOCAN)
Produced by Robert Walsh
© Velvet & Hawk Productions

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Andrea Menard Vancouver, British Columbia

Andrea Menard is a powerhouse performer who bridges cultural and language boundaries by speaking from her heart. With 3 award-winning cds and 2 tv specials under her belt, this charismatic Métis songstress has created life-long fans with her songs, her stories, and her message of hope. Andrea's new album, Lift, which is a collection of uplifting songs about joy and beauty, launches in May 2014. ... more

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