Self Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS)

Like the sun that kisses the morning
Like the moon that lights the night
May our love ever glow
Like a candle burning bright

We’re making a commitment
To each other and Alicia
We’re making a commitment
To be a family

Donald and Keia, Alicia too
We wish you well in all the things you do
We’ are your circle of friends
We’ll always be there for you

On this day
This very special day
We exchange a ring and a vow
Two things that say
We are one

Thanks so much for being here
We know we can count on you
Your friendship and love
Through all the things we do

Donald and Keia, Alicia too
We wish you well in all the things you do
We’ are your circle of friends
May all your dreams come true

Energy should be free
It’s a gift from the sun
Energy should be free
Like photons on the run

You and me, should be free
As free as anyone
You and me should be free
To be what we can become

Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!

Dignity should be free
Respect shouldn’t cost a dime
All of us, will be free
It’s just a matter of time

Energy should be free
It’s a gift from the sun
Energy should be free
Like photons on the run

Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!

Community should be free
Free for everyone
When that’s true, community
Will be what it can become

Dignity should be free
Respect shouldn’t cost a dime
All of us will be free
It’s just a matter of time

Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!
Don’t black us out!

Song for Ethel

(D) On Wednesday, November 2nd (G) 2005
(D) The world lost a very special person
The day (G) that Ethel died
(D) She was my wife for over (G) 23 years
(D) We shared a lot of happiness
Some (G) times we shared tears

(D) Oh Ethel, (A) oh Ethel
(em) We (G) will miss (D) you
Oh Ethel, oh Ethel
We will miss you

(D) Ethel was a loving and caring woman
I (G) fell in love with her
(D) She made me feel happy the day (G) that I met her
(D) On our first Thanksgiving together
We met (G) each other’s families
(D) From the Bronx to Brooklyn, a good (G) day for Ethel and me

(D) Ethel and I, her husband, (G) Harvey Pacht
(D) Had a dream to be parents and raise a (G) child
(D) We decided try an adoption, (G) this was our plan
(D) But there were obstacles for us to over (D) come
(D) People didn’t believe we could, we (G) believed we could
And (D) we did now we have (G) Sam

(D) Ethel was a true friend and leader (G) to all of us
(D) Advocating for a better life for (G) all
(D) She was proud to be a member of (G) AmeriCorps
(D) If someone was needed to speak,
(G) Ethel always answered the call
(D) She loved her work and all of her (G) friends

(D) Today we are here to celebrate her (G) life
(D) And honor her (G) achievements.
(D) I, Harvey, her surviving (G) spouse
(D) And our daughter (G) Samantha,
(D) Will our lives to the fullest extent (G) possible.
(D) This is what Ethel would have wanted us to () do.

Oh Ethel, oh Ethel
We’ll never forget you
Oh Ethel, oh Ethel
We’ll never forget you

Note: This song was written by Steve based on a eulogy by Harvey in memory of his wife Ethel.

Psychologists had a meeting
They were in a hotel room
Talking about a subject
That makes some of us fume

We tiptoed to the doorway
Heard what they had to say
They were talking ‘bout” some tests
Our heads began to sway

You see these tests label
Don’t say that we are able
Sometimes create a fable
About me and you
So we stuck our heads
In that room and screamed
FU, FU IQ

FU, FU IQ, FU, FU IQ
That tells you what you can do
FU, FU IQ, FU, FU IQ
That tells you what you can do
With all those tests of people’s IQ

(D) (C) Linda made waves not ripples
(G) (D) Her life was an expression of love
(D) (C) She taught us much with her joy and pain
(C) (D) But most of all she gave us Rain

In a large black binder she gathered the stories
Of families in need of the support of a friend
In her living room she created Parent to Parent
Everyone who met her loved her to the end

When Rain was born she made a vow
Her daughter would live a full life somehow
She would go to school with other kids
Learn to be strong, and I think she did

Oh, Linda we’ll never forget you
Your sweet soft voice, the strength of your will
(D)And the things that you started, the (C) people you inspired
All going strong still

Rain pointed out to me
Her mom did make some Rippels
In fact she made three
Rain, Bob and Kate, added to the family tree

If we had a hammer, we’d makeover Medicaid

Fix it for Freedom, all over this land

Money following people, people living in their own homes

Now we got a hammer, we’ll makeover Medicaid

Fix it for Freedom, all over this land

My boy is a young black man
He’s doing the best he can
Working, living, having some fun
I’m proud of all the things he’s done

Oh, There’ve been struggles along the way
Living life day to day
At times his road is full of bumps
Some days my heart still jumps, and
I cry through my Mommy lumps

Mommy lumps
When people don’t understand
My boy is now a man
Mummy lumps
When they don’t see the things in him I see
He’s such a part of me
Mummy lumps
When his frustration grows
As your frustration shows
Mommy lumps
When you respond with restraints
Take downs get my complaints
Mummy lumps
When people say dreams can’t come true
And they don’t see the things he can do
Mummy Lumps
When he’s hurting and can’t explain
I can see and feel his pain

He’s such gift to all of us
Our lives would not be the same
He teaches us everyday
You got to look to find the way

Take some risks; go to any length
Life requires nothing less
In his eyes I find my strength
His life a gift, we are blessed

Sometimes his road is full of bumps
Some days my heart still jumps, and
I cry through my Mommy lumps

NY SA Song

From the Statue of Liberty
With her torch of freedom
To the Falls of Niagara
We are leading

From sandy shores of Long Island
To those crystal Finger Lakes
We’re speaking up together
For all of our sakes

From the St. Lawrence Seaway
To the Adirondack Peaks
We changing our lives
We’re playing for keeps

If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it

Throughout our state
In the city and country
We are sharing the spirit
Just like it should be

Like the waters of Hudson
We flow together
Self-Advocacy keeps moving on
We grow together

We’re getting things done
All across this great state
We got a message for everyone
Some of us can’t wait

Friends and neighbors, our dream

No community is full
Unless everyone has a place
A chance to give and receive
With a smile on our face

If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it

We’re spreading the news
We’re changing the system
We’re people first
That’s our point of view.

It’s people that count
Our voices do too
Let’s build a new world
A new world or two

From the Statue of Liberty
With her torch of freedom
To the Falls of Niagara
We are leading

Self-advocates of New York
Oh this Empire state
We are creating our lives
With the choices we make

Self-advocates of New York
Oh this Empire state
We creating our lives
With the choices we make

If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it
If you can dream it, you can do it

* This song was written by Steve Holmes. The words are based on a list of song ideas generated by the SA Board of Directors at the December, 2003 Board meeting.

My dream is
My dream is
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
One kind word at a time
One kind word at a time
One kind word
One kind word
One kind word at a time
One kind word at a time

Oh the world will be
Such a wonderful place
When everyone can see
The soul behind the face
The soul behind the face
Of everyone we meet
The soul behind the face
Of everyone we meet

The Lives you lived

Part 1: The Dedication

What’s in a name?
A lot if it’s you
Today we give your names back
It’s all we can do

This plaque is a symbol
Of our deep regret
We’re here to tell you
We will never forget

            We will never forget
            We will never forget
            The lives you lived
            The dreams you had

Part 2: The response

Thanks for what you’ve done
Our memories survive
We can feel your presence
Across space and time

Your thoughtful memorial
Means so much to us all
And to those who still live
May the world hear your call

In the light of endless love
Please know that we’re fine
It’s hard to describe in words
But you’ll find out in time

Be well dear friends, be well

Repeat Part 1

Chorus:
We are Vermonters; we’re from the Green Mountain State
We are self-advocates, with names like Conor, Dawn and Kate
We are not our disabilities
We are John, Mary, Fred and Nate
We are Vermonters; we’re from the Green Mountain State

There are lots of things we love to do
You’re just like us we’re just like you
There are lots of things we love to do
You’re just like us we’re just like you

We like to lick fresh maple syrup
In a crushed ice cone
We like to watch the leaves fall
From the trees that shade our home

We like to shop until we drop
We know where we you can find some good deals
We volunteer in our communities
Hikes for hunger, meals on wheels

We know how to survive in the cold
The rain and the damp
We are working towards our dreams
Some of us are searching for Champ

We speak up at town meetings
With our neighbors and friends
We speak up at the State House
Here’s the message we send

We want real jobs
There is so much we can do
We want our own homes
We want a life like you

Together we can move Mountains
Well, maybe not the Greens
But when we work together
No problem is as hard as it seems

We take care of each other
We keep each other safe
Our independence is important to us
Our freedom is faith

There are lots of things we love to do
You’re just like us we’re just like you
There are lots of things we love to do
You’re just like us we’re just like you

Chorus:

We Got the Power

If you want to change you life……who’s got the power

If you want to set things right…….who’s got the power

Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power

Are you speaking up for yourselves? …we got the power
Are you speaking up for your friends? we got the power
Are we speaking up around NY State? we got the power
Are you speaking up around the USA? we got the power

Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power

Do you want to hire your own staff? …...we got the power
Or lead others along the path……………we got the power
Can we change some hearts and minds…we got the power
Is it time to draw the line………………..we got the power

It’ in our hearts………………….we got the power
It’s in our minds……………… we got the power
It’s in our voices………………...we got the power

Will it be in our choices…………we got the power

Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the power
Who’s got the power…………… we got the poweri[

Nothing about us with out us….. .we got the power
We’re creating our own futures... we got the power

We’re in control of our lives……we got the power

Independent and free …………......we got the power
With the support we need ……... ...we got the power
Living with the people we choose.. we got the power
Real homes not nursing homes…. ..we got the power

We’re citizens too…………………we got the power
There’s so much we can do………. we got the power
We’re part of out community……...we got the power
We’ll be all we can be……………. we got the power

We want what you got!
A self-determination anthem
Words and music by Steve Holmes
(C) 1999

It’s really pretty simple
Response (after each line) We want what you got!
Not hard to understand
Forget all your plans

It’s no surprise
Open your eyes
We want our own lives

We’re not slots or beds
We want our own homes
We want real jobs

(Five silent lines with response, with the response varying from a whisper to very loud singing)

Group homes are overrated
Workshops are outdated
It can’t be misstated

Hear our voices
We want our own choices
Self-Determination

(People can continue making up their own lines as we go--ending with five silent lines with a response, the response varying from a whisper to loud singing)

Nothing said
We pick it up
We watch the City fall down
We pick it up
Because of Freedom
We walk hand in hand
God Save America
We pick it up

We watch the City fall down
We pick it up
See the Capital Standing strong
Because of Freedom
We pick it up

We are American
We pick it up
Because of Freedom
We pick it up
Long live Freedom
We pick it up
Long live Freedom
We pick it up

We watch the City fall
We pick it up
With the grace of God
We pick it up
(c) Finn and Holmes 2001 Chester Finn, words; Steve Holmes, music

We’re been speaking out
We’ve been speaking out
For ten years now
For freedom, justice, and equality

We’ve been been telling our stories
We’ve been been telling our stories
We’ve been been telling our stories
Of freedom, justice, and equality

Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop

When we speak together,
Our voices are strong
When we sing together, we sing
In harmony
When we stand together,
We stand stronger

People 1st of New Hampshire
We’re ten years old, ten years old
Ten years of speaking about
Freedom, justice, and equality

Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop

We’ve learned from each other,
We’ve learned from each other,
We’ve learned from each other,
About freedom, justice, and equality

Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop
Join with us now, doo wop, doo wop

People 1st of New Hampshire
We’re ten years old, ten years old
Ten year of speaking about
Freedom, justice, and equality

(C) April 20, 2002 Nancy Stocking, Jason Wyman, Clyde Trask, Bindy Hurd, Betty Lou Ayres, Tom Cable, Anne Kimball, Pamela Chambers, Kristen Fredrickson, Kristen Bardorf, Rose Anne Tardiff, Chris Fram, Chester Finn, Tammy Mills, Barbara Poulin, Kathy McCarthy, Cathy Holmes, Steve Holmes

Listen to us

Standing Strong

We want to live in our community
Where everyone belongs
That’s where everyone belongs

For too many years

Won’t you help us grow?
We’ve got a lot to do
Listen to us
We’re speaking to you

We want our own homes
A good job too
We want relationships
We could be a friend to you
We want relationships
A little romance too

Standing Strong

We want to live in our community
Where everyone belongs
That’s where everyone belongs

Get to know us

Self-advocacy
Is in all of us
We’ve part of a movement
There’s no stopping us
It’s a civil rights movement
There’s no stopping us

Standing Strong

We want to live in our community
Where everyone belongs
That’s where everyone belongs

We’re old but we’re new still, staying true
To our mission with spirit and the help of all of you
WIHD is turning a new page
We’ve gained our independence; we’re coming of age

Our vision is clear of new community
Where everyone is included with respect and dignity
Valued and supported as citizens and friends
We believe, we believe, we believe, we believe

All people with disabilities should live independently
In self-determination contributing to society
Participating fully in the mainstream of life
We believe, we believe, we believe, we believe

We’re old but we’re new, still staying true
To our mission with spirit and the help of all of you
WIHD is turning a new page
We’ve gained our independence; we’re coming of age

Steve Holmes, Self-Advocacy Association of New York State

Chorus
You tell us that together
We can build a better
Tomorrow, and we have
Cause you’re the World's Greatest Commissioner
You’re the world’s Greatest Commissioner

He started with the State in 64
42 years of distinguished service
Who would of thought that a (G) young
Junior Reimbursement agent
Would grow up to (G) be

The worlds greatest Commissioner

Chorus

He’s generous with his time
Often says yes when he’s invited
In 14 years he’s been to 2000 dinners
That’s a lot of mystery meats and chicken surprises
Not to mention all those after dinner treats
We calculate that he’s eaten several hundred cakes
More brownies than can counted
And enough cookies to fill your plates
All in the line of duty
Just one of the sacrifices he makes

Cause he’s the world’s greatest Commissioner

Chorus

He’s the number one Buffalo Bills fan
Pretty soon they’re gonna say he’s the Man
When he comes to his team’s aid
Helping to fund a new stadium with Medicaid

Cause he’s the world’s greatest Commissioner

He’s cat lover to the seventh degree
But with some animals he’ll take a pass
Like the Heritage cow
Who bit him in the ……
Cause he’s the world’s greatest Commissioner

(D) Let’s talk about his (G) legacy
(D) Some say it’s his fiscal wizar (G) dry
(D)Others say his tops will be (G)OPTS
(D)But we think it’s the way he (G) cares
The way he cares about you and me
Cause he’s the World's Greatest Commissioner

(D)We’ve learned a lot from (G)him
(D) He’s learned a lot from (G) us
(D)It’s a relationship built on friendship and (G)trust
(D)His policy is always open (G) door
(D) He’s listened to us and so much (G)more
He’s a man who walks the talk

Chorus

Tom, we have a question for you
One question before we're through?
Do you know how much
We all love you?
Cause, you're the World's Greatest Commissioner

By the time we arrive at our work today
All across the USA
People are working for justice
And because of you we will have it .... someday

The work you started is still brewing
And you our soldier for all
Lead us with your call
"With truth, justice and liberty for all."

For all who love justice,
For all who love life
on this day we celebrate... Justin's life
Fellow patriots
Lead on, lead on, Lead on, lead on
Fellow Patriots
Lead on, Lead on, Lead on Lead on

For all who love justice,
For all who love life
On this day we celebrate... Justin's life
On this day we celebrate... Everybody's life

As Justin said I love you
Lead on lead on, lead on
Lead on, Lead on, Lead on, lead on
Lead on, Lead on, Lead on Lead on

It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions down
It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions now

There’s no more time for debate, our friends in these places can’t wait
With a full life in the community, they have a date
Let’s close all institutions now!

It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions down
It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions now

All of the facts are in
What some once thought was right, we now know is a sin
Things don’t change from without, things change from within
Let’s close all institutions down

It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions down
It’s not a question of if, it’s when, let’s close all institutions now