Roots Go Down (single)

by Julia Francis

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about

Many white Americans are being confronted with their role in systemic racism; They are waking up to their white privilege and the knowledge that racism is a part of the fabric of society. It’s an uncomfortable and necessary process. But, how does one process their accountability to the harm without centering themselves, without being performative? When artists need to process they make art, which once shared can
feel performative. ‘Roots Go Down’, the latest single from Julia Francis, is her way of processing and internalizing that reckoning with transparency.

‘Roots Go Down’ is a journey, beginning with Francis innocently asking, “I thought everyone was just like me, I thought everybody was free, Why wouldn’t I?” The song then moves through her processing that the “apple doesn't fall far from the tree” as she takes responsibility for her ancestors and her own role in systemic racism. By the end of the song Francis is more aware of her culpability and role in repairing the harm done, “My eyes are white to this history, Put an end to this legacy, Why wouldn’t I?”

“‘Roots Go Down’ reflects my exploration as a white person with privilege and responsibility in a racist system. Writing ‘Roots Go Down’ helped me create more space within myself for the stories of the people who have been exploited, marginalized, and erased. It isn’t about calling others to action or being performative, Roots Go Down is the musical output of the journey I am on.” Julia Francis said of her latest single.

lyrics

Roots go down
All the way down

This is not how I thought it’d be
I thought everyone was just like me
I thought everybody was free
Why wouldn’t I

All the things in the lost and found
Came from the souls who were gagged and bound
Then buried deep beneath the ground
Can you say their names

Apples don’t fall far from the tree
Everybody down on your knees

Serve and protect people just like me
The truth is hard but so plain to see
We’re drowning in mass bigotry
From sea to shining sea

La la la, la la la, la da da, la da da

When times are hard we fight or flee
But we gotta comes to terms with what we’ve come to be

Apples don’t fall far from the tree
Everybody down on your knees
Apples don’t fall far from the tree
Everybody down on your knees

I thank this song that come through me
My eyes are white to this history
Put an end to this legacy
Why wouldn’t I

When the roots go down
All the way down

credits

released August 12, 2021
‘Roots Go Down’ was written and sung by Julia Francis with Darren Loucas on guitar, Evan Flory-Barnes on Bass, Mark Lutwak on Keys and Mike Peterson on bass. Luke Held also holds songwriting credits for the lyrics. ‘Roots Go Down’ was mixed by producer Steve Fisk (Ben Gibbard, Car Seat Headrest) and mastered by Rachel Field (Thunderpussy, Pearl Jam) of Resonant Mastering.

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about

Julia Francis Seattle, Washington

Julia Francis is a Seattle-based singer-songwriter. Her music is deeply rooted in the blues legacies of women like Gertrude “Ma” Rainey and Billie Holiday among others. KBCS describes her voice as “howling, blistering…like Bessie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe colliding with Slick, Joplin and Tedeschi.” ... more

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