The UNFCCC Newsroom presents a new entry as part of the series of Climate Songs for Paris COP 21. The song "Speak for the trees " was submitted by Earth Guardians and A-Natural.
Listen to Speak for the trees
Story of the Song
“Speak for the Trees” was written in the summer of 2014 by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a 14 year old youth leader with the non-governmental group Earth Guardians. The hip-hop song was inspired by Xiuhtezcatl’s love for the planet - and specifically for trees - and by his wish to educate people with the help of music about climate change.
Xiuhtezcatl and his friend and co-activist Itzcuauhtli (12 years old) hope to inspire people of all ages to connect with the environment and take positive, creative action. They have already spoken and performed at the United Nations, at schools, conferences and at music festivals around the world.
The two friends worked with other Earth Guardian activists and with Aaron Ableman to make the music video for the song “Speak for the Trees” as part of this year's “One Billion Trees” campaign, a global initiative to help reforest the planet.
The musician, actor and author Aaron Ableman (who goes by the name A-Natural) says he wants to use the universal power of entertainment to uplift humanity.
The song was produced by Joe Alan Meador. The vocals are by the Earth Guardian youth Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Itzcuauhtli Martinez, Isa Caress, Tonantzin Martinez, and JoeAlan Meador.
Speak for the Trees - Song Text
I feel trapped in a concrete jungle sinking deeper I am going under
Machines come loud as thunder the Earth’s resources we plunder
And some people turn away but I raise my voice and say
What will be left for my generation at the end of the day
If the tree falls in the forest does anyone bother to listen
This is the peoples darkest hour we must make the right decision
Extinction or salvation global reforestation
Are we the ancient guardians of this long lost nation?
I wasn’t born in the year of the panda
I was born in the year of the concrete block
We can break these locks and chains
We can break these locks and chains (x2)
We slash and we burn will we ever learn
If a forest catches fire a small part of us will burn
I am not the Lorax but I still speak for the trees
The survival of our forest depends on you and me
Look into the eyes of the children
You will see the beauty of the world within them
Cause as I fade into the sunset the trees will surround me
Climb into their branches and the trees will surround me
I was born into this world as a part of the land
when I climb into a tree and hold a flower in my hand
I am one with the Earth I am one with the land
We hold the future of the Earth in all of our hands
I will stand tall like a tree in the forest that I love
To protect my only home to protect all that I love
Don’t cut down my trees, don’t destroy my only home
Don’t cut down my forest, leave us alone
I wasn’t born in the year of the panda
I was born in the year of the concrete block
We can break these locks and chains
We can break these locks and chains (x2)
Your body is a tree like gardenia
Your heart is the seed and it beats for love!
You are the Baobab, Redwood, & Pine:
You are the future in present time.
Your dreams are the fruits of the flower petals!
Music is the seasons, from spring to leaf falls.
Feel your roots like a living history,
When you breathe, it’s because you are a tree!
So we say to you and me:
One billion rise for the trees & the seeds!
I am life and I am unchoppable!
You can’t stop the unstoppable!
I wasn’t born in the year of the panda
I was born in the year of the concrete block
We can break these locks and chains
We can break these locks and chains
Are we the last generation of our people
We must rise up and fight for our freedom
If I plant one seed I can grow a whole forest
I can bring back the trees that we all need and cherish
I can feel the pain of the mother earth and I know
That when the sun fades away and the lights burn low
I Turn my head to the sky and gaze into the stars
Is this why were really hear is this who we really are
Put down our axes for the future generations
Restore our ancient forests mass reforestations
Put down our axes for the future generations
Restore our ancient forests mass reforestations
I wasn’t born in the year of the panda
I was born in the year of the concrete block
We can break these locks and chains
We can break these locks and chains (x2)
Send us your Climate Song for Paris COP21Are you an amateur or professional singer, and do you care deeply about climate change? Then be part of the global movement in support of a meanginful new universal climate change agreement to be concluded in Paris in December (COP 21/CMP 11). Send us your climate songs to newsroom@unfccc.int so we can spread the word in the run-up to the meeting. The song would need to be already posted online in a sharable format so that we can link to it (as a sound file or video or embedded on a website) and we would ask for a short paragraph about how it was made and what the song means for you. |
Photo Credit : Aspen Snowmass