Missy Higgins – Oh Canada

By starrymag | March 5, 2016

By: Ruth Anrep

 

“There’s a million ways to justify your fear.”

 

As an Australian music enthusiast, I’ve been following Missy Higgin’s career ever since I saw her singing about “a triangle trying to squeeze in a circle”, while using gum to keep her piano from falling apart. That was back in 2004 and since then Higgins has had multiple successful albums; however, her more recent work may not have been as well known in the United States.

 

She has appeared back on the “radar” on a worldwide level with her new single “Oh Canada.” This track is about the heartbreaking death of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee whose body was found on a beach in September, after his family’s attempt to escape Syria for a chance of freedom in Canada. Tragically, the small boat they were on did not last the journey and left Alan’s father Abdullah as the only survivor out of the family of four. In an industry dominated by meaningless content, it is rare to find a song with an influential message. And in my opinion, this is the most powerful song Missy Higgins has released.

 

The sound of this song is what immediately captured me. The piano and string changes throughout were magnificent, providing the emotion fitting for the content. Even without knowing the message of the song, the music itself is capable of moving people to the verge of tears.

 

When I first listened to this song, I immediately understood the reference Higgins was making to Alan and the refugee crisis in general. What I didn’t comprehend until further listening was that the majority was from the father’s perspective. I’ve broken down these lyrics:

 

“He was carried from the water by a solider

And the picture screams a thousand different words”

 

This is the opening of the song and makes reference to the image of the soldier who carried Alan out of the sea.

 

“He was running from the terror with his father

Who once believed that nothing could be worse.”

 

When you’re living in fear everyday of your life, the risk of death for freedom seems like a worthwhile chance to take.

 

“Oh Canada, if you can hear me now

Won’t you open up your arms towards the sea?

Oh Canada, if you can help me out

All I ever wanted was a safe place for my family”

 

This brings us to the chorus where freedom is so close; however, there are many more dangers in order to reach it. I interpreted this as the father’s prayer for his family to reach safety.

 

“We gotta hold each other tighter

I’m not losing everyone I love tonight”

 

This is perhaps the most heartbreaking part for me, knowing the outcome of this story. And the fact that he does lose his entire family on this night is devastating.

 

“Anyone if you can hear me now,

Won’t you open up your heart towards the sea

Anyone, please help us out

All we ever wanted was a safe place for our family”

 

This is where Missy Higgins opens up the topic of the refugee crisis to the world. America has had it’s own issues regarding immigration while Australia is quite renowned for having extremely poor treatment of those seeking asylum. This is an ongoing issue that needs to be taken more seriously as lives are being lost in the search of freedom.

 

“There’s a million ways to justify your fear

There’s a million ways to measure out your words

But the body of Alan being laid upon the sand

Tell me how do you live with that?”

 

We’re all human and we are all seeing this, are we really going to let this go? Pretend like just because we’re not seeking asylum this isn’t our problem?

 

I’m glad the emotional song is getting the recognition it deserves. As more than being beautifully written, it brings light to a heartbreaking issue. This song was not intended to make money as all net profits are going towards an Asylum Seekers Research Centre. It is purely about the art of music and sending a message.

 

Can you live with this?

 

You can listen to the song and watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsFaI0YlWU0

 

You can also read the rest of the lyrics here: http://www.missyhiggins.com/lyrics/