"State of Statelessness" genre: Folk
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	Describes the quasi-residential status of minorities in Hong Kong, and by extention minorities everywhere.
	MP3.com CD: Waiting for a Chinese Sun... - buy it! CD: Waiting for a Chinese Sun... to Shine   Label: self released in Hong Kong (pm productions) Credits: written, arranged, recorded and performed by Paul Meredith. Production assistance in HK from Simon Hui
	Story Behind the Song At the time of writing, the legal status of minorities in HK was not yet determined. Some positive measures have since been taken, but as long as minorities' status is uncertain anywhere, I think the song continues to have some meaning. We all still have a ways to go in many countries before equal rights are afforded to all people regardless of ethnicity, land of origin, skin color, etc... Musically, I liked the way the melody and guitar part I came up with sort of wrapped itself around the phrase "state of statelessness" -- I like the irony of it... Lyrics STATE OF STATELESSNESS 1. We're entering a state of statelessness in the great city by the river Pearl Check your passports at the door, you may not need 'em anymore Citizens of nowhere but the world Citizens of nowhere but the world 2. Members of the state of statelessness might be Indian or Vietnamese They might speak the language, earn their pay -- but they're not wanted anyway At the mercy of the sovereign powers that be At the mercy of the sovereign powers that be Well let's not blame a particular country, they got fears we can't ignore And they got the right to have their sovereign space But now we're all like waves of a sea that touches every shore Who's gonna look out for the human race 3. Exiles to the state of statelessness got no government, no land to call their own Unrecognized by any nation, or deemed unfit for immigration They can only call united nations home Can only call united nations home (Refrain) 4. Take me to a state of statelessness, show me a world where justice really reigns Where human beings can always find a home wherever on this earth they roam Where borders fade and one country remains Borders fade and one country remains Take me to a state of statelessness c) Paul Meredith, 1999

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