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176 Daughters

by Keith May

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    **Digital downloads include all of the lyrics embedded in the files along with the full color album artwork in convenient MS Word format.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Was I insane to have CDs pressed in the year 2016? (It sure felt like it when I paid for it.) The finished product is beautiful and features a full color 16 page booklet AND instant digital download of the full album! Ok...maybe you are like me and you want to hold this special album in your hands and gaze upon its rich photos.

    Includes unlimited streaming of 176 Daughters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 4 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Get the new album plus Keith's 2005 classic, "Balladeer" for maximum pleasure.

    Includes unlimited streaming of 176 Daughters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 4 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $16 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    If you want and deserve more, this is the package for you. Imagine it: I will sign your CD, add two of my favorite Chinese snack foods to your order and give you a tour poster featuring the album cover artwork.

    About the snacks: Do you like when sweet and salty meet? I will send you two "Kiss-burn" snacks. What is it? It is a meatless jerky made from gluten. That may not get you excited on its own...but the spices? Divine. Your mouth will delight with the perfect blend of sweet, salty and a hint of spicy. You are getting two because immediately after eating one you will think, "I can't wait to eat the other one later." 'Later' will be moments later when you think, "Oh hell, I want it now."

    Includes unlimited streaming of 176 Daughters via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 4 days
    edition of 50 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD or more 

     

1.
你说,万般不及美人妆,后来,态浅意消朱颜老。 你说,秀靥总比花容貌,后来,花香载酒雅容抛。 你说,腰肢袅娜最是好,后来,柳弱折断女儿腰。 你说,春起柳丝同偕老,后来,离情且为缘渐消。 你说,风来幽兰画眉梢,后来,暮掩黄昏对空床。 你说,羞云情意终到老,后来,铅华尽销诺已荒。 你说,彩签当寄恐心遥,后来,任教昨霄音信杳。 你说,执手与归莫失莫忘,后来,醉相忘,话残阳。
2.
Honest 03:47
I’ll play the role of someone that you already know When you’re far from home, I’ll know where you are What’s new to me is the way I’m starting to feel And how quickly you led me to a warmer light Honest-there’s nothing in the world I know Like this-feeling confirming what I’d hoped: That I love you and you love me A gesture so sweet, I tried to act professionally But I can’t hide how I feel and I guess that that’s alright I’m worried about all the changes looming now And I hope you- find your way to happy life Honest-there’s nothing in the world I know Like this-feeling confirming what I’d hoped: That I love you and you love me
3.
Oh my girl where should I begin? I’m so proud of what I am seeing. So patient, gentle and kind I’d tell the world you’re mine. Your soft words and caring hands It takes no imagination to see where you’d land A loving mother, a teacher I could see Oh you’ve left no doubt in me You’ve seen me lower than I’d like It’s hard to show strength when you’re losing a fight But it has shined a light—in me It’s alright now—let me go Our precious summer has set the tone No more struggle---just family There ain’t nothing more important to me Surrounded by mountains of green, Is a brown eyed girl I’m certain loves me My daughter where ever you go That is something you should know…
4.
I learned your secret as you walked away He stood above you, power on display I can see that you’ve made up your mind I’m stuck here pretending that you’re fine And I saw the pictures you sent Of you beautiful, trying on a wedding dress Please go. Find a brand new start There’s someone who deserves your heart There is danger right ahead Bones to be broken-tears to be shed There is no way to change a violent man If you reach out I can promise someone will take your hand When I saw the pictures you sent Of you beautiful, trying on a wedding dress I thought, “Run, run away!” Please listen to what your loved ones say I want to know you’re safe And that happiness fills your wedding day It’s not love-It’s not true Please leave him-for you
5.
My Sunshine 04:14
Lord knows I’ve come a long, long way Unsure of my decision, till I saw your face (yeah yeah) Now I know that it shows, all this joy I have Well, here in my new hometown I fell in love so fast California can’t compete-when you’re here smiling at me You’re my sunshine. Warm sunshine Let’s make a memory. What do you say? We could travel together or stay in and sing (yeah yeah) Now I know that it shows, all this joy I have Well, here in my new hometown I fell in love so fast California can’t compete-when you’re here smiling at me You’re my sunshine. Warm sunshine (Solo) California can’t compete-when you’re here smiling at me You’re my sunshine. Warm sunshine
6.
Special Love 03:43
On the road never knowing who’ll come into your life A Buyi girl came straight into mine Well we’ve got something we call “special love” Lasts for a lifetime, sent from up above Oh my Clara… My heart is out You’re the one I care so much about Your hand in mine Sure feels right A Daughters love. Now what more could you need? Open yourself and if you give—you’ll receive Oh my Clara--- One day I will go Our special love is something everyone will know My girl…You were my surprise My heart…it didn’t see you come. And I’m… grateful to for your love That’s what life’s about
7.
Thank you for loving me, but the life I seek I’ll choose on my own Eyes set on victory, just you wait and see You’ll be so proud I know… Making you happy seems like an impossibility It’s the great unknown Well, your hearts in the right place, but I gotta say You don’t know….. What’s right for me, This always goes on too long Don’t take this as mean… If you think I need your help, you’re wrong, wrong, wrong I’m gonna love who I wanna love—Just because. I wanna melt for someone kind and sweet , can’t get enough of me Knows my dreams well And when I meet my lover, you’ll discover I’m beyond help Nobody to control me or guide my destiny. I can do it myself What’s right for me, May change as I go along Don’t take this as mean… If you think I need your help, you’re wrong, wrong, wrong You think I’m young and foolish- am I right? But while I was gone —I made a new life. Let it go… This summer starts MY life I love you and all... but goddamn…there is a world outside I’m gonna let my heart go---well …wherever it wants Oh but I don’t wanna be gone from your eyes I wanna see the pride in your eyes Stop.
8.
My Angel 05:38
I once saw an angel up close She cried on my shoulder and left like a ghost Was it some kind of vision or trick of the mind? 'Cause she was grateful, graceful, lovely and oh so kind You are my family You are my friend Love you forever A love without end So when the world gets rough And she needs some love Won't someone please take my angel home? In a perfect world she's surrounded by love A caring husband and a loyal son In those moments when I miss her, what can I do? Send her the simplest of messages: "Sunny, I love you." You are my family You are my friend Love you forever A love without end So when the world gets rough And she needs some love Won't someone please take my angel home?
9.
Sad Song 03:15
I’ve been waiting all night, all day, but I won’t ask where you’ve been staying. Tell me are you alright? Ok? I’ll stop talking to let you breathe. And I wrote a sad song It bared your name Did it bring you down No it made–it made my day That’s what I’d hoped you’d say I’ve been so down, so low. I’ve had feelings I’d never known I knew that you were there. Trust me-I knew that you cared. And you wrote a sad song It bares my name Did it bring you down” No it made–it made my day That’s what I’d hoped you’d say Don’t go… Just Stay… I’m Here…
10.
Dear May 03:48
Yes I see you. I’m turning to greet you that’s when you lift your ring to my eyes Trying to be witty, but there’s no hope of winning your heart from this lucky guy Should I feign some surprise? Or should I take all my pride And fade into the night? So many moments where I felt my importance Was I a foolish guy? Your heart is willing for a new special feeling A love that differs from mine Should I feign some surprise? Or should I take all my pride And fade into the night? I don’t want to feel anymore fiercely protective It’s not what you want anyway You do what you want. But all that I am asking you Is if I can be Always seen as Your one and only “Dear May”
11.
My dear friend I miss you so much. If you have some time I’d like to stay in touch If you’re feeling sad I’d lay on the ground beside you and let you know how I love your smile The day you left me oh, I can’t forget your disappointment and my regret. I hope that you’re happy, so far away. I wish you’d come back into my arms and I could love you again My dear friend I’m gonna tell the world that We…we are hopeless We…we both know this Our hearts…our hearts have been broken And I…I thought you could help this one more time Where I live now is nice. I’ve made some friends I tell each one about you. Do they understand? My best years were with you, my funny one. When I look to the past I know the joy that we shared was true. Such a great distance, is it selfish that I want more happiness and to hear your laugh? If one day I have money, I’d come to your door so you could pull me tight into your arms and I would feel your love My dear friend I’m gonna tell the world that We…we are hopeless We…we both know this Our hearts…our hearts have been broken And I…I thought you could help this one more time
12.
Known for a smile. A spirit so wild. Feels like a mask: charming but fake Friends see the signs. Silence builds before the crying They want to help, but their voices fade Dark clouds seem to gather from miles and miles away They block the sun and bring the rain. Not just for a day I feel your pain Seeing beauty is complex when emotions are a mess. To hide is to protect those you love Counting the flaws. Finding everything that is wrong The weight of the world robs you of breath Dark clouds seem to gather from miles and miles away They block the sun and bring the rain. Not just for a day I feel your pain
13.
Scarlet Pen 03:56
Mind if I write in scarlet pen? The letter you requested again and again. Should I lie?? Not this time… Wanna know the reasons for the things I do? Can’t find this languages’ god damn use. It’s a shame. I’m always to blame. …Apologies Mr. May You seem nice We’d disagree on how hard I tried, but that’s alright Asked my daddy as sweet as I could, “Free me from school and I’ll work real good” An escape from this charade He said, “No.” to save some face But my cheating heart stayed in its place always the same, I’m playing a game… …Apologies Mr. May You seem nice We’d disagree on how hard I tried , but that’s alright I know all the things I should do Studying, all night … all night through Change my major, make things right Hope my parents don’t put up a fight …Apologies Mr. May
14.
Train ticket in my weathered hand We need money, you understand Promise me that you’ll stay in school Feed your brother and tell him what to do I miss your mother, but she’s not coming home Across the country you’ll be on my mind You’ll grow up quickly and soon you will find You will cook, and you will clean You will be tired and you will be A good daughter, but thankless and unknown Chinese girls need to grow up strong If you know a boy likes you, Tell me again, what should you do? Run from his comforting light the last thing you need is another life Don’t love another till I say so Chinese girls need to grow up strong You deserve a life-without pain or fights I wish the best for you-with a love so true But Chinese girls often wait for what they’re due Beautiful and kind So caring with a sharp mind Chinese girls are strong
15.
Again 04:54
Time has passed …so quickly Here we are with our goodbyes It’s natural to reflect on these Good old times And I’m…I’m here to tell you And reassure you that we’ll meet again So Don’t…Don’t be sad now Please share your smile with me once again Don’t reel at the thought of leaving We all have to go Take all these good friends with you Wherever you choose to go And I’m…I’m here to tell you And reassure you that we’ll meet again So Don’t…Don’t be sad now Please share your smile with me once again I wish you happiness And the life that you get Is filled with love Friends. Friends never leave you No matter how far they might go
16.
Letters 03:29
I lie on my bed and read your perfumed letters. My eyes sting. My heart drops. I’m left with one feeling: Alone… I’m all alone Now that …I’m back home Photographs of your smile are part of my story. Your bright light, flooded the shadows and revealed a hole…in my life I didn’t know So…now where do I go? Remember dancing slowly Singing the songs you taught me The mountains and valleys Filled me with a new sense of hope I lie on my bed and read your perfumed letters.
17.
Sonnet 18 02:01
18.
Welcome Back 04:43
Smile. Smile all you want Wherever you are - forever will be Fill these lonely arms With comfort and charm for all to see So when you come back.. I’ll be the one to say….“Welcome back”… and I’m hoping that you’ll never have to leave. Song. Twists through the air Gentle and soft written with care I’ll play, play from the heart Then we will start dancing again So when you come back.. I’ll be the one to say….“Welcome back”… and I’m hoping that…You’ll never have to leave. Smile. Smile all you want

about

This album was written and recorded during my three year Peace Corps service in China. It is a tribute to the young people that transformed me and inspired me beyond imagination. These songs tell our unique stories and share some of life's universal joys and sorrows. It was recorded to capture a moment in time, to celebrate something beautiful and to sometimes heal sorrow. "176 Daughters" features my voice alongside the voices of many of my students. This is without a doubt the most personal album I could possibly create. I hope that you are able to share in our connection by listening to this very special recording. Thank you very much.

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released August 4, 2016

All songs written and recorded by Keith May.

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Keith May Dayton, Ohio

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