"For a Refugee" genre: Folk
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	Describes a part of the journey of refugees in the Balkans, and by extension, everywhere.
	CD: Shadows of Belgrade   Label: self released (pm productions) in Hong Kong Credits: written, arranged, performed and recorded by Paul Meredith. Production help in HK from Simon Hui
	Story Behind the Song I wrote this song in Beijing China in December 2000, months after leaving the Balkans. It was kind of intense for me writing the song, one reason was because in some ways Beijing and Belgrade felt so similar (perhaps the freezing cold) and I had much to remember and reflect on. So it made it hard to study my Chinese for a day or two. The guitar tuning by the way is D A D F# A D. I was thinking about many refugees I met in Serbia as I wrote the song; which had by far the most refugees in all of Europe. Their hardship and dim prospects of return often made the distinction of many as "internally displaced" rather than "genuine" refugees as rather meaningless. The idea as expressed in the song, of giving for the sake of humanity, is the orientation that I feel motivates most relief agency workers, and makes what they do so admirable. I think the song is also influenced by the lonely sound of some of those Bruce Springsteen folk songs, like on Nebraska or Ghost of Tom Joad. I hope you like the song. Lyrics FOR A REFUGEE 1. You took your wife and family 'cross a border that was not there ten days ago Searchin' for some shelter as far away from that war as you could go Don't matter which side you were on -- to tell the truth, don't really want to know 2. You take what you're given for the sake of those kids hangin' on your hand And it breaks you that you couldn't earn that bread; your family's fed but you feel less like a man Your status is uncertain, though God knows how you've tried to make your claim Internally displaced -- a refugee by any other name 3. Can't see down the road, I can't know if you'll ever find a home But I see your humanity and somehow in your eyes I faintly see my own I'll forget my loneliness and everything I thought I ever learned And I'll give without taking, offer without asking in return c) Paul Meredith, 2001

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