The Lady Lifers: A moving song from women in prison for life

89,712 views ・ 2015-05-15

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00:13
(Music)
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Dannielle Hadley: Life in Pennsylvania means just that:
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life without the possibility of parole.
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For us lifers,
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as we call ourselves,
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our only chance for release
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is through commutation,
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which has only been granted to two women since 1989,
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close to 30 years ago.
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Our song, "This Is Not Our Home,"
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it tells of our experiences
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while doing life without the possibility of parole.
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00:53
(Music)
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01:12
Brenda Watkins: I'm a woman.
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I'm a grandmother.
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I'm a daughter.
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I have a son.
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I'm not an angel.
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I'm not the devil.
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I came to jail
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when I was so young.
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I spend my time here
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inside these prison walls.
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Lost friends to death,
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saw some go home.
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Watch years pass,
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people come and go,
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while I do life without parole.
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I am a prisoner for the wrong I've done.
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I'm doing time here.
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This is not my home.
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Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.
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Will I see
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my family
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or die alone?
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As the years go by,
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I hold back my tears,
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because if I cry I'd give in to fear.
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I must be strong, have to hold on.
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Gotta get through
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another year.
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I am a prisoner for the wrong I've done.
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I'm doing time here. This is not my home.
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Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.
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Will I see
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my family
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or die alone?
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I'm not saying that I'm not guilty,
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I'm not saying that I shouldn't pay.
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All I'm asking is for forgiveness.
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Gotta have hope I'll be free someday.
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Is there a place for me
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in the world out there?
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Will they ever know or care that I'm chained?
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Is there redemption for the sin of my younger days?
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Because I've changed.
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Lord knows I've changed.
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I am a prisoner for the wrong I've done.
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I'm doing time here. This is not my home.
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Dream of freedom, hope for mercy.
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Will I see
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my family
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or die alone?
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Will I see
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my family
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or die alone?
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I'm known to you as Inmate 008106.
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Incarcerated 29 years.
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My name is Brenda Watkins.
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I was born and raised in Hoffman, North Carolina.
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This is not my home.
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06:06
(Applause)
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Thelma Nichols: Inmate number 0B2472.
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I've been incarcerated for 27 years.
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My name is Thelma Nichols.
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I was born and raised in Philadelphia, P.A.
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This is not my home.
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(Applause)
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DH: 008494.
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I've been incarcerated for 27 years.
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My name is Dannielle Hadley.
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I was born and raised in Philadelphia, P.A,
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and this is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Theresa Battles: Inmate 008309.
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I've been incarcerated for 27 years.
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My name is Theresa Battles.
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I'm from Norton, New Jersey,
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and this is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Debra Brown: I am known as Inmate 007080.
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I've been incarcerated for 30 years.
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My name is Debra Brown.
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I'm from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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This is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Joann Butler: 005961.
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I've been incarcerated for 37 years.
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My name is Joann Butler,
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and I was born and raised in Philadelphia.
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This is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Diane Hamill Metzger: Number 005634.
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I've been incarcerated for 39 and one half years.
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My name is Diane Hamill Metzger.
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I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
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and this is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Lena Brown: I am 004867.
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Incarcerated 40 years.
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My name is Lena Brown,
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and I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
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and this is not my home.
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(Applause)
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Trina Garnett: My number is 005545.
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My name is Trina Garnett,
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I've been incarcerated for 37 years,
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since I was 14 years old.
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Born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania,
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and this is not my home.
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09:01
(Applause)
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Will I see
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my family
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or die alone?
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Or die alone?
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(Applause)
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