THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Inspired by the tragic wake of the recent gun violence in America’s schools, here is Ann Hampton Callaway performing her original song called “Thoughts And Prayers” that addresses the epidemic of mass shootings and the urgent need for effective gun control legislation.
For more information on sensible gun legislation visit www.everytown.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=1rR6omUdeAo
“Thoughts and Prayers” -Music and lyrics by Ann Hampton Callaway © 2018 Works Of Heart Publishing Administered by Williamson Music
Arranged by Stephan Oberhoff and Ann Hampton Callaway. All instruments performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephan Oberhoff at Full Circle Studio, Pasadena, CA. www.stephanoberhoff.com
Ann’s vocals recorded by Chris Sulit at Trading 8’s Recording Studio, Paramus, NJ.
Production Support by Mary Wharton Directed & Edited by Steven Lippman aka Flip (1959-2018) Steven was a vocal and dedicated activist for social justice. His commitment to progressive causes including gun control, health care for all and protecting the civil rights of immigrants, women and LGBTQ citizens drove him to march in the streets as well create short films to speak out against injustice where ever he saw it. This was his last piece of advocacy filmmaking.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who submitted videos and photographs: Cyrille Aimée, Lucie Arnaz, Dr. Jane Aronson, Matt Baker, George Ball, Shelly Berg, Alan Bergman, Chris Blasting, Everett Bradley, Ada Rovatti Brecker, Stella Brecker, Michele Brourman, Alison Brown, Betty Buckley, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Kelli Carpenter, Cast & Crew of AMC’s “Preacher”, Cast of “Love Never Dies” North American tour, Susan Claassen, John Clayton, Jane Clementi, Michael Clinton, Tracy Coogle, Pamela Cooper, Cynthia Crane, Alan Cumming, Lorna Dallas-Brown, John di Martino, Fran Drescher, Tim Dufelmeier, Jennifer Elling, Melissa Errico, Jon Faddis, Harvey Fierstein, Lisa Fischer, Nicholas Callaway Foster, Gary Friedman, Steven Frails, Mary Fretz, Julie Garnye, Judy Gold, Simon Grossman, Nick Guarino, Karen Oberlin Hajdu, Stephen Hanks, Mark Hanzel, Clint Holmes, Ann Hooper, Peter Marc Jacobson, Jordan Ann Haris-King, Niki Haris, Grace Kelly, Roslyn Kind, Jann Klose, Carolyn Koenig, Sasha Lazard, Melissa Manchester, The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Bob Mann, Lynn Manuell, Nelba Márquez-Greene, Karen Mason, Sally Mayes, Amanda McBroom, Audra McDonald, Kate McGarry, Gwen McGill, Mark Morganelli, Darmia Hope Murphy Elliott, Donna Murphy, Susan Murphy, Kelli O’Hara, Barbara Porteus, Sarah Renninger, Seth Rudetsky, Randy Roberts, Lesley Rosenthal, Debra Seaman, Tim Seelig and The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Denise Shaw, Mark Shugoll, Gabriel Skoletsky, Janis Siegel, Jennifer Simard, Anne Steele, Victoria Steineck, Kari Strand, Stacy Sullivan, Tobi Taub, Mardra Thomas, Steve Tyrell, Ben Vereen, Roseanna Vitro, Lesley Ann Warren, Suzanne Wechsler, Edmund Weisberg, Holly Foster Wells, Grant Whelan, Jill Whelan, Paul Wickliffe, Martin Wind, Chris Wood, Libby York and Elizabeth Ziff.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Words and music by Ann Hampton Callaway
Thoughts and Prayers Lyrics
“We. Have had. Enough…I mean. ENOUGH.” They call it the price of freedom But it’s just the freedom to kill And if guns don’t kill their families They probably always will Now how did the price of freedom Become higher than human lives? Here’s an idea, while we hold our breath Till gun control arrives:
CHORUS:
Let’s ban guns And if people get mad We’ll send them our “thoughts and prayers” That’s the go to thing While guns are king From politicians puttin’ on airs ‘Cause if thoughts and prayers Are good enough For those who’ve lost beloved ones They’re good enough For all those people who’ve Lost their guns Thoughts and prayers Thoughts and prayers Turnin’ the table now, my friend ‘Cause there’s too many empty chairs! Each time there’s another shooting DC’s numb to the tragic loss Are we just supposed to turn our heads When we, the people, are boss? For Parkland, Sandy Hook, Columbine Our hearts are flying half-mast Let’s form a band, take matters in hand And get legislation passed
CHORUS:
Hey, let’s ban guns And if people get mad We’ll send them our “thoughts and prayers” That’s the go to thing While guns are king From politicians puttin’ on airs ‘Cause if thoughts and prayers Are good enough For those who’ve lost beloved ones They’re good enough For all those people who’ve Lost their guns BRIDGE And, DC, we’ll Tweet our sympathy To all your pious puppets of the NRA Then we’re gonna vote those cowards out And, America, have no doubt We’ll gonna make it a safer, better, brighter day!
CODA CHORUS:
Thoughts and prayers Thoughts and prayers Turnin’ the table now, my friend ‘Cause there’s too many empty chairs Thoughts and prayers Thoughts and prayers Feeling the pull to keep each chair full Nothin’ against prayin’ But I’m just sayin’ It’s life we stand for So we’ve gotta give more Than only thoughts and prayers “We need a lot more than” Thoughts and prayers
