Have you heard the Iranian song ‘Baraye’?
Written and performed by Shervin Hajipour, a 25-year-old Iranian singer, the song quickly became an ‘anthem’ for the ongoing protests in Iran. Two days after he first published the music video, he was arrested for his contribution to making people’s voices heard.
In the music video, Shervin highlights several tweets from Iranian people who have conveyed their desires for change and combined these with music, to create an audio-visual emotive piece that transcends borders.
Please watch the video here and share it with others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrvpRb2jY1M
Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back and sparked the ongoing protests. However, the Iranian people are no longer just seeking justice for Mahsa’s death. Her name and the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ have come to represent the need for wider social change in Iran.
By basing his lyrics on the tweets of Iranian people, Shervin’s song resonates with people across the globe, especially with Persian speakers in the diaspora.
Here are some of the lyrics that have resonated with me in particular:
- For dancing on the streets: This is a powerful visual image that immediately speaks to the longing the people have for freedom…
- For my sister, your sister, our sisters: As a unifying statement, this calls listeners to action to stand with women as they lead the protests and challenge harmful social norms…
- For never experiencing this moment: Referencing the Ukrainian flight that was shot down, killing 175 passengers, these lyrics recall previous injustices…
Which lyrics speak to you?
