Kris has put out six CDs of original music, a couple of award winning videos, created and performed for the theatre, and toured clubs and folk festivals around Canada, Australia and Europe, both solo and with his Crack Band.
His music draws on classic folk story telling, spoken word/rap, and shamelessly hooky pop, which both complicates things for all involved and makes them more interesting.
from www.krisdemeanor.com
I Am
Kris Demeanor Lyrics
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I will make sure it's okay to bring it into school
She's absolutely stunning, she's nearly six feet tall
She is a refugee from The Sudan
Apparently they learn to play by the age of three
I imagine in the camps there's little else for them to day
It's amazing how she seems to have the rhythm built right in
I hope she's not too shy to sing
Come now, play now, everyone pipe down
I have no gift to bring to lay before this land
to honour my new home
I am
They struggle with their English but Aloyo's taken leaps
Considering that when she came she hardly spoke a word
But it's always confusing, one minute she's withdrawn
The next she'll be up dancing with Eileen
I hope that she'll remember, I think it's bound to fade
Her mother has remarried outside her language
But if there's a recording, could we get a copy please?
I've got to play it back when she's 15
For now, could you please tell the class she's ready to practice
I have this gift to bring, to lay before our land
To honour our new home
I am
In this song, Kris Demeanor tells the story of Aloyo, a nearly six-foot-tall refugee from The Sudan who comes to his school with her uncle's drum. He imagines that learning to play music might be one of the few joys for children in the refugee camps where she grew up. Despite the language barrier, Aloyo has made progress learning English, but still has good days and bad days. Kris hopes that Aloyo won't be too shy to sing, and that they can get a recording of her singing to have as a keepsake for when she's older. The chorus repeats that Kris has no material gifts to bring to the land, but that he is present and ready to contribute in his own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Aloyo has uncle, the uncle has a drum
Aloyo knows how to play the drums because her uncle taught her, and she wants to bring it to school.
I will make sure it's okay to bring it into school
I will get permission from the school to bring Aloyo's drum inside.
She's absolutely stunning, she's nearly six feet tall
Aloyo is an impressive person due to her height and beauty.
She is a refugee from The Sudan
Aloyo is from Sudan and left her country as a refugee.
Apparently they learn to play by the age of three
Children from Sudan often learn to play music at a very young age, starting from three years old.
I imagine in the camps there's little else for them to day
Children in refugee camps have few activities outside of playing music.
It's amazing how she seems to have the rhythm built right in
Aloyo has a natural talent for music and plays with great rhythm.
I hope she's not too shy to sing
Kris hopes that Aloyo is not too afraid to show off her singing voice.
Come now, play now, everyone pipe down
Kris is asking everyone to be quiet so that Aloyo can play her drum.
I have no gift to bring to lay before this land to honour my new home
Kris feels that he has nothing of value to contribute to his new home, and wants to find a way to show his appreciation.
I am
Kris recognizes his own identity and feels a connection to his new home.
They struggle with their English but Aloyo's taken leaps
Aloyo has made significant progress in her English language skills.
Considering that when she came she hardly spoke a word
When Aloyo first arrived, she was not able to speak English well.
But it's always confusing, one minute she's withdrawn
Aloyo's behavior can be unpredictable, with moments of shyness and introversion.
The next she'll be up dancing with Eileen
But in the next moment, Aloyo may be dancing and having fun with someone like Eileen.
I hope that she'll remember, I think it's bound to fade
Kris worries that Aloyo may forget her native language and culture as time goes on.
Her mother has remarried outside her language
Aloyo's mother has remarried to someone who does not speak her native language.
But if there's a recording, could we get a copy please?
Kris would like to have a recording of Aloyo's music to remember her talent.
I've got to play it back when she's 15
Kris wants to have a recording of Aloyo's music so that he can listen to it again when she is older.
For now, could you please tell the class she's ready to practice
Kris asks the teacher to let the class know that Aloyo is ready to play her drum.
I have this gift to bring, to lay before our land to honour our new home
Kris realizes that his own identity is a valuable contribution to his new home, and he wants to honor it.
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.