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Ferryboat and Passenger (​나​룻​배​와 행​인​) & Smoke Break During an Air Raid Drill

from THROUGH DARK VALLEYS / 이산 II by 이산/Seth Mountain in collaboration with David Fuller, Zoë Yungmi Blank, & Joel Martin

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lyrics

Ferryboat and Passenger (나룻배와 행인)
Lyrics from Buddhist Korean Independence activist Manhae's famous poem of the same name in his book of poetry, The Lover's Silence.

"I am the boat that carried you
across the river...
You pressed your dirty feet
against my sides,
while I kept you safe and dry.
When you reached the other side
and began to walk away,
you did not look back.
Every day,
every day,
I am still here
waiting for you to return..."
*For the Noryangjin Traditional Fish Market Merchants, who continue to struggle for their lives against the lies, corruption and brutal violence of joint public and private pro-development forces in the heart of Seoul.
************************************
"The Noryangjin overpass is now a cliff’s edge to nowhere, a lookout to a massive new construction site that may result in an expanded modern entertainment center. Solidarity gatherings continue under COVID-19 social distancing regulations. During continued negotiations with Seoul City and the local district office, the market tents have been removed and the square lays quiet. Local officials regularly inspect for any “illegal” demonstrations and gatherings. Yet the merchants, their tents and their equipment are still there on the overpass. They prepare and serve home-cooked meals, generously sharing with activists on a weekly basis. During the night watch, the elderly merchants can hardly sleep as the subway and commuter trains pass underneath them and construction continues in the dark hours. Sooner or later, the tents are likely to be forcibly evicted. Until that day, the original Noryangjin Fish Market merchants and their diverse supporters will remain at Noryangjin Station exits 1 and 2.

"What do decolonization and liberation mean for Noryangjin Fish Market and other redevelopment struggles? As a longtime physical and forever spiritual resident of the city of Gwangju, I see the May spirit reflected in the tenacity of the several dozen aunties and grandmothers of the overpass. I also see the spirit of Peace Market garment worker Jeon Tae-il who self-immolated in martyrdom on November 13, 1970. This year is the 50th anniversary of this ‘single spark’ that set off the militancy of Korea’s labor movement. When Jeon and the Gwangju freedom fighters sacrificed their lives, perhaps their minds were already purified and liberated from the colonization of industrial capitalism and the myth of progress under redevelopment. Decades later, in a whole new era, the Noryangjin merchants show that sadly and inevitably, the struggle for a better world is not yet over. They continue their fight for their right to livelihood outside of the new market and for recognition of their place in Korea’s modern history. Until that day comes."
-Ana Traynin, October 2020 (from "Redevelopment Resistance in the heart of Seoul" in Rock! Paper! Scissors! online journal Vol 2, No 3)


X. Smoke Break During a Practice Air Raid Siren in Seoul

The unforgotten "forever war" in Korea has now continued for 70 years.

"I was wading in the river. I was with others. It was before the break of dawn. And as the sun started to rise, a light started to flow down the river. And that's when that light morphed into families embracing each other. It was so beautiful and profound. But I just needed to see where the source of the light was coming from. So I kept going up the river. And that's when I came to a circle of women. And they were stirring something that they then poured into little vessels, which then became the light that flowed down the river. And that's when I woke up and I said, I know who will end the war. It will be women that end this war."
-Christine Ahn (from "It will be women that end this war" in Rock! Paper! Scissors! online journal Vol 2, No 3)

credits

from THROUGH DARK VALLEYS / 이산 II, released January 1, 2021
Main vocals by Lee Nan Young. With guest vocals from Jung Hyesook, No Sooncheon, Choi Sunghee, and Yamagata Tweakster.

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Seth Mountain 이산 image

Seth Mountain 이산 South Korea

Seth Martin (aka Seth Mountain or 이산), is a roots musician originally from the Pacific Northwest (US).

Continuing in the radical tradition of artists like Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Utah Phillips, Martin has been living in Seoul since 2015. He regularly performs with Korean and foreign folk, indie and rock acts.

"Quite possibly the closest thing we have to Woody Guthrie."
--Bill Mallonee ... more

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