Once upon a time a young gay boy had a desire
to tell the truth about the way he loved
listened to his muse and poured the truth into song
giving birth to his passion and desire
When he spoke his truth an older man in a business suit
said "hey boy, you really got a sound"
I can cut your record, book your tour, and get you signed
All you gotta do is butch it up, and change those pronouns around".
Our hero looked him in the eye and said "That would be a big fat lie,
what is it worth if I'm not true to who I am"
Me and my brothers and my sisters and our freinds,
Dont need to play by your rules anymore
You will hear our voices as they rise up in song
and one day they will grow, much too loud to ignore

Outmusic, out stories of out lives
Out of the darkness that has held us down for far too long
Out heartbreaks, Out laughter and desire
Telling the stories of the ones we love, with passionate fire
Out of the shadows, into the brilliant light of day
Out of the Shame, Out of the fear, Out of the past.
Out through music.

She was always more than a pretty girl
she had a way with words and she would
paint with them, on quiet afternoons
She had a voice and opinions
and she held hands with her girlfreind
didnt matter if everyone could see
She played her guitar at the local bar
singing songs about her girl
She really had a sound
A woman came up to say
"you could be a big star, all you gotta do is wear some lipstick
and change those pronouns around"
Our girl looked up from the floor and said "thats not what I do this for
music is my life and it's part of who I am
If I change to fit an image, its not truthful anymore
whats the use in being famous, if I'm not me"
You will hear our voices as they rise up in song
and one day they will grow, much too loud to ignore

Outmusic, out stories of out lives
Out of the darkness that has held us down for far too long
Out heartbreaks, Out laughter and desire
Telling the stories of the ones we love, with passionate fire
Out of the shadows, into the brilliant light of day
Out of the Shame, Out of the fear, Out of the past.
Out through music.

We are telling stories of the truth of our humanity.
Our stories count as much as any in the tapestry.
Success means nothing if you give up your integrity
So raise your voice and tell the stories of your life and love with dignity.
Outmusic, out stories of out lives
Out of the darkness that has held us down for far too long
Out heartbreaks, Out laughter and desire
Telling the stories of the ones we love, with passionate fire

Outmusic, out stories of out lives
Out of the darkness that has held us down for far too long
Out heartbreaks, Out laughter and desire
Telling the stories of the ones we love, with passionate fire
Out of the shadows, into the brilliant light of day
Out of the Shame, Out of the fear, Out of the past.
Out through music.

**********

Outmusic
words and music by Freddy Freeman
all instruments and voices - Freddy Freeman
engineered and recorded by David Helms
for Rough Diamond Productions.
Recorded at Rough Diamond Studios, Nashville TN.
Outmusic is the registered trademark of
Outmusic, the GLBT musicians network. Used with permission.
This song is dedicated to every artist expressing the truth of thier own life,
and to Dan Martin and Michael Biello for starting such a wonderful organization.

www.FreddyFreeman.com