Modern slavery: Survivors’ song

Major Lynne Shaw talks to ‘Dreams’ international singing group about the release of their own song.

The power of music is that it often goes beyond the story of the composer. ‘The Survivors’ Song (I Will Rise Up)’, by ‘Dreams’ international singing group, does just this with a chorus that pulls out a heartfelt message: ‘I’ll rise up 1,000 times, unafraid I will fight. And I’ll never give up. I will survive.’

Comprising survivors of modern slavery and Salvation Army support workers, the group felt it was important that they were part of a community and support network that helped each other rise.

Sometimes that help seemed to come from out of the blue but gave them each such strength. While the song comes from the group’s own personal stories, the words can overlap with our stories too.

The whole project has been a collaboration, including people from the Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Department and Music and Creative Arts, who supported with writing, recording and the overall production.

Nigel wrote the melody, arranged backing vocals and played various guitars. Support worker Emma Dumbrava added her voice and words to the song. And Marcellus Frank, the studio technician, helped produce the overall sound of the song, dedicated to the cause of supporting victims of modern slavery.

Fresh from a song release gathering, organised by members of the Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery BUILD project, Nigel and three of the singers shared the process and inspiration that brought this song into being and bonded the group together even more.

How did the song come about?

J Everybody has an experience. We have different journeys in life, and we wanted to put it into a song. All of us pitched in some lines. All of us contributed to form the song.

Nigel We’d done a lot of performing and I said to them, ‘We should write our own song.’ We didn’t know what we were going to write about. We waited for a theme to develop. We call it ‘The Survivor’s Song’, as it’s like the voice of a survivor.

What is the message of the song?

JO We give help to each other to rise again. People need help to rise again.

J and G They support us, so we have courage to move on, to rise up.

Nigel It starts off saying: ‘Thought I would never make it through / I felt so lost and alone.’ The beginning of the story is a feeling that nothing good will ever come of life, and then hope comes through feeling supported and gives you strength to try to make it and to keep rising and not give up when difficulties and obstacles come in your way.

How has the song impacted the group?

J When we heard the song for the first time, the meaning of it made us feel very emotional. There wasn’t a dry eye. We’re actually amazed at ourselves – like, did we really make this? It actually gives us more hope. We have more courage and confidence now to go on.

Nigel It’s their own words and their own story.

G We are proud of ourselves.

How will it impact listeners?

Nigel There are dark days and difficult times for all of us. I think the song could encourage anyone on any level.

J We hope that, even though they may not have survived a modern slavery experience, they will get something from it that can inspire them and give them hope too.