Songs of The JourneyA LIVING HISTORY OF THE REGENT PARK REVITALIZATION

Join us on a journey of the heart as we listen to the songs from the original

production of The Journey: A Living History of the Regent Park Revitalization.

Written by Daniels’ President Mitchell Cohen and members of the Regent Park

community, The Journey is a remarkable story told through spoken word narrative,

song and dance. Brought to life by Canadian music industry artists and musical

talents from the Regent Park community, each of the songs marks an emotional

milestone in the revitalization of Regent Park.

Listen to the music and join us on the journey as we share in the community’s

yearning for a better life. Feel the emotion – the anger and frustration, but also the

steadfast determination that finally leads to change. Experience the anxiety and

sadness as the wrecking ball demolishes a lifetime of memories and feel the hope

and exuberance as a bright new future emerges.

Kids play in the backyards of Dundas Steet East.

1951 (City of Toronto Archives).

The Daniels Corporation has donated this soundtrack to Artscape Foundation

who are using it as a fundraising tool to support remarkable youth programming

at Daniels Spectrum, a 60,000 sq.ft. cultural hub in Regent Park. For a minimum

donation of $15 you can download this soundtrack at www.giveagiftgetasong.com

and give young people the kind of opportunity that changes lives.

Children demonstrating for a new swimming pool in Regent Park, August 14, 1969.

(York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives, ASC33051, Bill Dampier).

1. Looking Back 4:57

Lead Vocals: Alana Bridgewater featuring: Sterling Jarvis, Charlotte Siegel & Lori Nuic

Looking back, it’s looking bad,What have we learned for tomorrow?Looking back at what we had,What have we learned for tomorrow?

Let me tell you a story, right from the heart,A little bit of history, ‘bout Regent Park.They called it Cabbagetown, south of Gerrard.No sewers, no sidewalks, Life was hard, life was hard.

Then in the forties, they demolished that slum,There was no question, it had to be done.Start it all over, knock it all down.Lots of good intentions, all over the town.

Build a ‘garden city’, protected from cars,If you take out the roads, the kids are safer by far.But that isn’t what happened, isolated instead,The shadows in the garden came a place of dread.

Looking back, it’s looking bad,What have we learned for tomorrow?Looking back at what we had,What have we learned for tomorrow?

A few years later, the feds say goodbye,Download the problem, let the next guy try.Everybody’s aching to make a new start,But there’s nobody listening, while it falls apart.

In churches and basements all through the Park,People got together, from morning till dark.And they said: “Talk is talk, promises too,This time around, we’ve got to make it true.”

CODAIf from the ground, foundation strong,Amongst the pillars, forged of steel.Those who believe will come along,The heart of the people will make it real.

If from the ground, foundation strong,Standing together to fight the fight,Creating a place we all belong,Side by side, we can make it right.

If from the ground, foundation strong,Right from the Park, it’s made right here.If from the ground, we’ll sing this song.Light from the dark, nothing to fear.

2. Grannies on a Mission 5:20

Lead Vocals: Jackie Richardson & Steve Harmony

Regent Park Community Centre.

Spoken:Around here, no one has ever cared.It’s almost like we’re invisible, spoken about, but never seen.

Not anymore: Granny says that she’s going to take a stand,Gather her friends, and take matters in their own hands, and make change.Turning dollars and quarters into equipment and bricks, door to door and month by month, until they get this done.

Verse: Out on the street in the summer heat,The kids took it on the chin. No hoops to shoot, no substitute,For an old fashioned gym. There’s pushing and shoving, illicit lovin’, Outside the window tonight.Sirens blare, neighbours stare, Someone bleeds under the streetlight.

Bridge: We said: No more guns, no more killing.No more tagging on the walls.We must stand up for the children,We must not let them fall.

Spoken:What up Granny? You’re always on a mission.I love it when you do that soul cookin’ in the kitchen.

And when you tell your stories I always listen cause I can’t get enough of your words and your wisdom.You lead by example, community follows,Work hard today for the hopes of tomorrow.We are the future and you the present,Where would we be without your presence?Maybe lost, I don’t have a clue,But you showed me that I’m somebody too… I’m somebody too.And that’s why we’re watchin’ to see what you do, see what you do Granny.

Chorus:Grandmas on a mission.They’re comin’ through, get outta their way.Grandmas on a mission.Granny with her cane, you know she don’t play.Grandmas on a mission.Don’t take no stuff, they’ve had enough.Grandmas on a mission.Try and stop ‘em if you dare: you’ll get nowhere!

Verse:City Hall wouldn’t take our call,Province left us in the dark.So, on our own, we took up the phone,And knocked on every door in the Park.

We said: Two bucks a month, on top of the rent,Amounts to bricks bought one by one.Door to door, floor to floor,We got the building done.

Bridge: We say: No more guns, no more killing,No more tagging on the walls.We are working for the children, We must not let them fall.

Spoken:It’s cause of you that they built the centre,A place to chill growing up together.All your moves give me inspiration,Look up to you when I’m down, for motivation.You built it one brick at a time, and had the whole community standing in line.You saw the problem, took up the fight and up on your shoulders, we see the light.

Chorus:Grandmas on a mission.They’re comin’ through, get outta their way.Grandmas on a mission.Granny with her cane, you know she don’t play.Grandmas on a mission.Don’t take no stuff, they’ve had enough.Grandmas on a mission.Try and stop ‘em if you dare: won’t get nowhere!

Tag:A brick at a time,Mommas and grandmas,A brick at a time, a brick at a time.Up on your shoulders, we see the light.

Bringing the song to life: music icons

Joe Sealy (top) and Jackie Richardson.

Buildings coming down, I hear the wrecking ball,

Yes, they’re coming down, we got the curtain call.For the better they say, the Park must fall,For the future they say, it still hurts,

that’s all.

Maligned in the city, so misunderstood,

It’s my piece of the city, both the bad and good.I know it ain’t pretty, but it’s my neighbourhood.No it ain’t pretty, it’s my neighbourhood.

So many faces to remember,So many neighbours

torn apart.

Childhood places gone forever,But always here, here in our hearts.

Buildings coming down, everything I’ve known.And when we brought ‘em down, I kept a brick of my own.It’s my piece of the city, it’s my home.It’s my piece of the city, it’s my home.

So many faces I remember,Are coming back home to the Park. Brand new places to discover,Finding a new home,

here in our hearts.

Well we’re movin’ ‘cross town, be back before long;To a new Regent Park, it’s coming on strong,A new piece of the city, a whole new song.A new home for the city, that’s where I belong.

3. My Piece of the City 5:05

Lead Vocals: Jackie Richardson featuring: the Regent Park School of Music Choir under the direction of Wayne Strongman

605 Whiteside Place under demolition.

Steve Harmony

performing.

4. Blessed by You 4:27

Lead Vocals: Steve Harmony & Sterling Jarvis

Father: Hello little man we don’t have much time. I’m in this jail paying for a life of crime. I’m so sorry about the path I took you down.

So listen up now, hear what I say. Find your own path, go your own way. I’m so sorry that I let you down.

Son: Well, Mom’s in a state, its all hitting the fan.I’m sorry too, that you’re here in the canBut It ain’t only you who does the paying.

So hey back at ya my old manFollow your lead, that was my planI’m listening, but I’m not sure what you’re saying…

I was your boy every step of the way, Getting into trouble most every day.Always running, but always blessed by you...

I was your boy, when I dropped out of school, You didn’t give a damn, when I broke the rulesAll I wanted was to be blessed by you.

(And now, and now, and ...now)… Who do I want to be?

(And now, and now and ...now)… what do I want to do?

(And now, and now,and ...now)… who do I want to be… if I can’t be you?

Maybe I’ll be a plumber, and get my union card.Buy a little home one day, cut the grass in my own backyard.

Maybe I’ll go back to school, get a job in the neighbourhood.

Teaching kids just like me, the things a father should.

Who do I want to be if I can’t be you?

Father: You could be anyone, you could be anyone, you could be anyone… just not like me.

Son: Who do I wanna be? What do I wanna do? I still wanna be blessed by you.

Father: You could be anyone do what you wanna do , you could be anyone… just not like me.

Son: Who do I want to be, if I can’t be you?

Father: You could be anyone, you could be anyone, you could be anyone… just not like me.

Son: So long for now, I’m leaving, A little confused and blue.

I’ll make my own way, but I’ve got to say:

I still want to be blessed by you.

Hello Oak Street, here’s to Pat Cole,

Here’s to a place with a whole lotta soul.

A long time ago, they closed

them down,

Thought it was the right thing to do.

Who was to know it,

How we could blow it,

Taking out the avenues.

Years have gone by, we’ve learned

a thing or two,

About front doors

right on

the street.

It all comes

round, what’s

old is new,

On the street, that’s where

we’ ll meet.

Now we’re dancing

down the avenue,

Dancing down the avenue.

I do my banking, it isn’t a chore,

Never had a local bank before.

Having coffee at Tim’s is a treat,

The folks that run it, live right up

the street.

Dad calls for a pizza, it comes to

my door,

That ain‘t the way it used to

be before.

Don’t have to cab it from the

grocery store,

This is the way it should be ...

Now we’re dancing

down the avenue,

Dancing down the

avenue.

Celebrating the opening

of Cole Street.

5. Dancing Down the Avenue 4:33

Lead Vocals: Jackie Richardson & Sterling Jarvis featuring the Tynes Family Singers

There’s headlines, and story lines, reporters on the doorstep,With cameras and questions, politicians in lockstep.This doesn’t help, it’s not what we need…How long can this go on?

How do you show love in a time of grieving?How do you show your love? How do you show your love?How do you show love in a time of loss?

By planting trees, planting flowers, Pulling weeds, you and Hope, side by side, spending hopeful hours.

How do you show love in a time of grieving?How do you show your love? How do you show your love?How do you show love in a time of loss?

You play the drums, You fix the playground,You show love, just by being around

Sometimes, it’s just being there,Without words, just being around.Sometimes, it’s just about being there,Just being around.

How do you show love in a time of grieving?

By playing games, by sharing stories,By holding hands, holding tight, with a prayer in the candlelight.

We bring the food, you light the barbeque,In the Park, day and night, light and dark, life goes on.

Young men, young men, so many young men gone. In sisters, in brothers, in mothers, memories live on…

6. Show Love 5:37

Lead Vocals: Steve Harmony

Children play at a Show Love community event.

7. Don’t Go Out Tonight 5:16

Lead Vocals: Trevlyn Kay

Community mural in Regent Park.

It’s been 200 days, 200 days since you walked out the door.200 days, 200 days, I don’t wanna count no more.

You know there’s trouble out there. You know there’s trouble out there.I know what I know little brother… don’t go out tonight.

You got nothing to prove. You’ve got everything to lose.Even if you win you lose little brother... don’t go out tonight.

Don’t go out in the night little brother, don’t go out tonight.Don’t go out in the night little brother, into the arms of a fight.

I begged, I pleaded, said “Little Bro you’re needed,” I did what a sister could.You looked at me, so silently, a tough kid from the neighbourhood.

I stared you down, you stepped around, I cried, “don’t go out tonight”.I grabbed your arm, you pushed me down, and disappeared into the night.

You went out that night little brother, now every night is a haze.You didn’t come home, little brother, left me counting days.

It’s been 200 days, 200 days since you walked out the door.200 days, 200 days, I don’t wanna count no more.

Could I have saved him? Would that I could.Never could forget him, and never would.

I’ve got to start living not counting days.Get back to the living, not counting days.

Pg 22photo

8. Quilt of Love 5:04

Lead Vocals: Charlotte Siegel

The quilt Regent Park A Love Poem is the

work of the Sakina Sewing Circle. The

quilt captures the essence of the rich past

and shining new future of Regent Park as

seen through the eyes of its residents.

One time, they were lost, random pieces all aroundPictures of our hist’ry laid out on the groundNow they are your poem, this wondrous tapestryThe stories of our neighbourhood displayed for all to see.

There’s me in the playground, swinging high and free,Safe within the comfort, of you watching over me. There’s you on the park bench, beneath the big old tree, that was cut down with a promise, a better home for you and me.

And now you lift us up, With your quilt of love. When you lift us up,you bring us harmony.

You drew a pattern with stories from our past.Sewing squares of fabric, that make the memories last.You stitched it all together, working day and night.So we could live in the light… live in the light.

There’s the little garden, watered with your tears,Where you prayed for peace and safety, and nothing left to fear.Now we have your poem of love, displayed beside the door. Proudly there for all to see, sad hands nevermore.

You drew a pattern with stories from our past.Sewing squares of fabric, that make the memories last.You stitched it all together, working day and night.So we could live in the light… live in the light.

Outro:And now you lift us up with your quilt of love.Now you lift us up with your quilt of love. And now you lift us up with this quilt of love.When you lift us up you bring us harmony.

9. Jammin’ at the Party 4:22

Lead Vocals: Jay Douglas & Alana Bridgewater

Dancing at

Block-O-Rama.

Jay: Back in the sixties, from the Caribbean sun,We made our way, havin some fun.We brought some spice, and the rocksteady beat, fearsome party down on Dundas Street

Alana: Young people, young people all on our own,Made something happen, we all worked the phones.Every August running, in the summer heat,Block-O’s coming, bring your dancing feet.

Jammin’ at the party, make the people come.Jammin’ at the party gonna have some fun.Jamming at the party come and sing this song.Jammin’ at the party, won’t you come along.

Jay: The Showmobile is coming, the music so loud.Windows vibrating, and the parents so proud.

Alana: Dean Read is jamming, the food is divine.From noon til midnight, everybody’s feeling fine.

Both: Funky Friday, Blockorama, Sunday in the Park.We all came together, we each did our part.

Backgrounds:Kidsfest, make a mess, forget the daily trials.

Jay: Feelin blessed, Never rest til everybody smiles.

Jammin’ at the party, make the people come.Jammin’ at the party gonna have some fun.Jamming at the party gonna sing this song.Jammin’ at the party, won’t you come along.

From the valleys and mountains so far,We followed our lucky star.From the islands and desert so dry,We followed our lucky star.

In this world we’re all just walking around, Looking for common ground.In this world we’re all just walking around, Looking for common ground. Under one roof, only one truth, Under one roof, we’re all the same.Tinkale pamozi, tukulele pamozi,Tinkale pamozi, ndisay ana anyumba.

Troubles come, couldn’t sing,Waters rise, couldn’t sing,No more work, couldn’t sing,No more food, couldn’t sing,Too much rain, couldn’t sing,No more rain, couldn’t sing,Had to run, couldn’t sing,Had to run, left everything!

We traveled far, we traveled long,Here we can sing our song,In this place, the path is so clear,Everyone welcome here. In every tongue, the words ring true,We are so sim’lar, me and you.In every tongue, the words ring true,We are so sim’lar, me and you.

Let’s sing the old songs in our new home.Come join the dance, here in our home.Ti yeni ti vine baba mu nyumba yatu, Bwelani ti imbe baba munyumba yatu.

Lelo lelo lelo lelo

Under one roof, only one truth, Under one roof, we’re all the same. Tinkale pamozi, tukulele pamozi,Tinkale pamozi, ndisay ana anyumba.

10. Under One Roof 5:06

Lead Vocals: Gideon Akufuba Sifuna

Daniels Spectrum – Regent Park’s arts and cultural hub.

Song Tracklist

Percussion Arturo Avalos 2,3,5,6,10

Kenneth Slater 6

Tabla Ravi Naimpally 8

Harmonica Carlos de Junco 4

String Arrangements Doug Wilde 8

Background Vocals Anne-Marie Woods 6

Alana Bridgewater 4,7

Kesha Wint 4,9

Jewelle Blackman 4,9

Chorus Vocals Nelson Mandela Park

Public School Singers 5,10

Regent Park School of

Music Choir 3,5

Katy Harmer, Marla Kishimoto 10

Walter Mahabir, Hayley Preziosi 10

Donne Roberts 10

Credits Song Tracklist

Piano Joe Sealy 3

Thompson Egbo-Egbo 8

Keys/Organ Stacie McGregor 1,2,4,5,6,7,9

Rob Gusevs 3

Guitars Robert Piltch 3,5,7,8

Kim Ratcliffe 2

Eric St. Laurent 1

Madagascar Slim 10

Donne Roberts 10

Danny Greenspoon 6,4

Mitchell Cohen 6

Carl Harvey 9

Bass Henry Heillig

Drums Charlie Cooley 2,3,4,5,7,8

Kofi Ackah 10

Pablo Paul Everton 9

Trumpet Jason Logue 1,9

Sax Colleen Allen 1

Alison Young 1,9

Trombone/Tuba Gordon Myers 5

Christopher Butcher 9

Production Credits All songs composed by Mitchell Cohen Additional lyrics by Henry Heillig, Jackie Richardson,Steve Harmony and Gideon Akufuba Sifuna

Produced and arranged by Henry Heillig

All songs recorded and mixed by Jeremy Darby at The Canterbury Music Co, except Dancing Down the Avenue, recorded by John Bailey at the Driveshed

and Danny Greenspoon at Wellesley Sound. Mixed by Danny Greenspoon.

Mastered by Ron Skinner at Heading North Mastering

SPECIAL THANKS:Anne Verbitsky, Katherine Wheatley, John Terauds Dwayne Morgan, Anne-Marie Woods, Falconer Abraham

Mitchell Cohen would like to give special thanks to Henry Heillig for providing inspired musical mentorship from the first few songs through to the completion of this second version of The Journey soundtrack. There is no better producer, arranger, music director and friend than Henry.

Mitchell would also like to thank Anne-Marie Woods for committing so much energy, expertise and love to The Journey project.

Anne-Marie Woods and Regent Park singers and musicians perform

‘Under One Roof’. Daniels Spectrum.

©2015 Another Life Productions (SOCAN)

Cover photography credit (L-R): Don Dixon, Artscape, Jason Henessy, Garrison Mcarthur

CD creative: arfinallen.com