Maria Daines: MUSIC

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Dedicated To Ferdinand





Ferdinand won the Kentucky Derby and he was Horse of the Year in 1987.

When he stopped winning, Ferdinand never made it to green pastures for a well deserved retirement, he ended his days in a slaughterhouse, butchered for meat.

FERDINAND WIKIPEDIA

HBO Report Horse Slaughter part 1 -




Part 2 -





Set us Free

You been a pickin' on me, you been a hittin' on me
Yeah all through history you been a kickin' on me
Well we got friends they all know the score
They're right here breakin' down the slaughterhouse door
You been a pickin' on me yeah, you're gonna set me free

You been a whippin' my back, don't let a man do that
Yeah all through history you wanna lash my back like that
Well now the reins are in the other hand
You lost your rights say the chief law man
You been a hittin' on me yeah, they're gonna set us free

Well I ain't a horse with no name
You kill our souls you gonna carry this shame
Take a horse to water but he just won't drink
I know your game no matter what you think

Well I ain't a horse with no name
You kill our souls you gonna carry this shame
Oh take a horse to water but he just won't drink
I know your game no matter what you think

You wanna mess with me, I might knock out your teeth
Yeah all through history you wanna make us bleed an' bleed
Well we got friends they all scratch our backs
The rope's untied don't take up the slack
Don't go a pickin' on me, they're gonna set me free
They gonna set us free, they gonna set us free
Yeah all through history you never set us free
Well we got friends they all know the score
They're right here breakin' down the slaughterhouse door
They gonna set us free yeah, they gonna set us free
They gonna set us free, they gonna set us free
Oh the sun's gonna shine on our backs they're gonna set us free yeah
They're gonna set us free, they're gonna set us free
Oh the sun's gonna shine on our backs n' we'll be runnin' free...

© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
17.2.06



Thank you to Bonnie & Rich for sharing this wonderful piece of writing with us, from Alex, age 12.

Dear Joe & Cathy,

I asked if I could write a paper for extra credit before school is over. My teacher said yes, so I wrote about your filly Lola. I thought you would like to read my paper. Here it is:

My Two Hours With A Horse Named Lola by Alex.

I was there when she came off the trailer. Joe Shelton told me to go ahead and give her a name. She had just been in a race, and her right front leg was wrapped in bandages. I have never seen something so beautiful in my life.

She kept looking upwards at the sky. Like maybe in the sky she could find the true meaning of life. It was hard for her to walk. I helped open the front gate, and she rubbed against me as she walked by. My stomach danced. I was in love. But not the kind of love where you see a puppy in a window and think how cute. I was in love with how she held her head so high even though she was injured so bad. How she struggled to get up the driveway but hoped no one noticed. I was in love with her elegance. Her determination. Her beauty.

My dad does not live with us anymore. But he would always sing this song. Lola, She Was A Show Girl.

The beautiful injured filly looked like a show girl. I told Joe Shelton I would like to name her Lola.

Cathy Shelton asked if I would like to help take off her bandages. I was down on my knees and looked up at her. This amazing face looking down at me. There was so much hope in her eyes. I started to cry. I did not want anyone to see me crying. Just like Lola did not want anyone to see her struggling to walk. Cathy Shelton asked if I was okay? I was so afraid Lola was going to die. I asked Cathy Shelton does Lola have to die?

Cathy Shelton said oh no sweetheart. Lola has a broken bone behind her ankle. She will be brand new in 3 or 4 months.

My two hours with a horse named Lola. I learned how to put new bandages on her legs. I learned how to mix her medicine. Lola let me squirt the medicine in her mouth. I made her a bucket of grain. She drooled grain on my shoes. Lola put her head on my chest and she stayed that way for a long time. I rubbed her ears. I am in love with a horse named Lola.

Alex.