East Palestine

from Bearing Witness by David Rovics

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There are toxic trains derailing daily in the USA. One of them was in East Palestine, Ohio.

lyrics

Almost ten years ago the train came through
In the center of Lac Megantic it blew
Scores of people died that night
What's been done since then to set things right?
They'd like to know in East Palestine

Trains derailed in Washington State
They talked about reform – too little, too late
The industry lobbied both sides of the aisle
Legalized bribery American style
Ask the folks in East Palestine

Reforms discussed but never made
Ancient tracks, worn and frayed
As expected, the brakes failed
And dozens of rail cars derailed
In the town of East Palestine

Carcinogenic chemicals leaked
Killed thousands of fish in two creeks
Poisoned air made people sick
You can hear the time bomb tick
In the town of East Palestine

Acrid air across the county
Who knows whether to stay or flee
The EPA says it's all clean
It says so on this machine
In the town of East Palestine

The next disaster's coming soon
As surely as the rising moon
The air, the water, and lives at stake
But we can't make them get new brakes
Just ask the folks in East Palestine

credits

from Bearing Witness, released April 19, 2024

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David Rovics Portland, Oregon

Singer/songwriter, writer, podcaster (on Spotify, Substack & Patreon), anarchist, dad, lover of life.

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