"Minnesota" - Marsh Family adaptation of "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)"

We hope the good people of San Francisco won’t mind us adapting this iconic track (about their city in the sixties, in the midst of protests and the counterculture movement) to treat the tragedies in recent days and weeks in Minneapolis. The original song was written by John Phillips (of "The Mamas & the Papas") and first released (sung by Scott McKenzie) in 1967, reaching number one in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand charts, though only fourth in the US. We chose it because of its link to protest, its soaring refrains, its simplicity, its earnestness, and its celebration of love and solidarity. In our arrangement we haven’t double tracked the vocals but have added harmonies and mandolin/violin lines.

We hope it serves its aim, which is to express solidarity with the courageous and valiant protesters in Minnesota (and beyond), and to memorialise Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and sing their names across the ocean: two innocent American citizens executed on the streets in appalling scenes that so obviously echo waypoints in the historical march of fascism. Taking on the guns, masks, fear, and falsehoods requires more than flowers and songs. But they are powerful nonetheless, especially if they remind folk of previous generations that navigated trauma, and that you are not alone, and others are being inspired your courage and actions in the face of the winter of our times.

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LYRICS

If you’re going to Minnesota Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair Grief is flowing in Minnesota You’re gonna see tormented people there

For ICE brought guns to Minnesota Claimed two lives: a man and woman there In the streets of Minnesota Gentle people just murdered without care

All across the nation Should be condemnation Ocean to ocean There is no “explanation”. This is Nazification. Citizens broken. Out in the open.

For those whose guns tore Minnesota Are sure to bear their power everywhere If you don’t stand with Minnesota Comes a time, will be beyond repair

[Modulation]

So all the world’s in Minnesota Their debt we share, on shoulders wide to bear Love and honour Minnesota Where Renée Good and Alex Pretti cared

If you’re going to Minnesota Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

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THANKS SO MUCH TO PATREONS (HOWLERS below):

Alyssa Sangeeta Jacobson Memorial Fund Sacramento Scott Christian Schranz Peter Green Richard Boultbee LisaMarie Fitzpatrick Ed Rocheck Sandra Vernooy Dan McColm Douglas Lind David Ryan Simon Haslam Lew Mike Smith Andy Riches Cliff Hope Carol Leff David Patrao Gary Carpenter Karen & Geeta Grandad