2025 Competition Entry:
Don’t Let the Fire Die by Ron Clingenpeel
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Genre
Folk
Artist
Co-writer(s)
no
Performer(s)
Ron Clingenpeel — vocals, guitar
Joshua Clingenpeel — bass
Barbara Smith-Davis — vocals
Robert Eustis — mandolin
Gina Forsyth — fiddle
Andre Bohren — vocals and percussion
Debbie Davis — vocals
Cole Williams — vocals
Daryl Durham — vocals
Nigel (Notaguy) Bourgeois — vocals
Frederick George — vocals
Sarah Clingenpeel –vocals
Joshua Clingenpeel — bass
Barbara Smith-Davis — vocals
Robert Eustis — mandolin
Gina Forsyth — fiddle
Andre Bohren — vocals and percussion
Debbie Davis — vocals
Cole Williams — vocals
Daryl Durham — vocals
Nigel (Notaguy) Bourgeois — vocals
Frederick George — vocals
Sarah Clingenpeel –vocals
Description
It was during the period of the beginning of Black Lives Matter and it seemed an appropriate response. When these things happen — crucial, negative events — we have to keep responding until change occurs, or else change will not occur. We cannot let the fire die.
Bio
A New Orleans folk, blues and roots band leader, Ron brings an interesting take on original and traditional music. Drawing from the rich traditions of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Odetta, and the historic sounds and tastes of South Louisiana, he plays everything from very traditional folk music, to contemporary songs about the Mississippi River, Marie Laveau, the Loop Garou, and those “damned roaches!” A composer, singer/songwriter, Ron has three albums to his credit with new one scheduled for 2025.
Lyrics
Don’t Let the Fire Die
@2023/4 Ronald Clingenpeel, ASCAP
We lit the fire for Martin when he died;
We lit the fire for Martin when he died;
We lit the fire for Martin, but we let it go out;
We lit the fire for Martin when he died.
We lit the fire for Carol when she died;
We lit the fire for Addie when she died;
We lit the fire for Cynthia and Denise
We lit the fire when they died
We lit no fires for Emmet when he died;
We lit no fires for Helen when she died;
We lit no fires for oh so many more;
We let the fire die.
(CHORUS)
Don’t let the fire die;
Don’t let the fire die;
Keep it burning, fan those flames,
Don’t let the fire die.
We lit the fire for Michael when he died;
We lit the fire for Brionna when she died;
We light the fire for Elijah, as he dies
Don’t let the fire die.
We need to learn to love one another;
We need to listen, too.
We can’t close our eyes and our ears;
That’s when the fire dies.
(Chorus)
Sometimes we get it hot;
Sometimes we get it right;
Sometimes we let the fire go out,
We forget why we’re alive.
(Chorus and out)
@2023/4 Ronald Clingenpeel, ASCAP
We lit the fire for Martin when he died;
We lit the fire for Martin when he died;
We lit the fire for Martin, but we let it go out;
We lit the fire for Martin when he died.
We lit the fire for Carol when she died;
We lit the fire for Addie when she died;
We lit the fire for Cynthia and Denise
We lit the fire when they died
We lit no fires for Emmet when he died;
We lit no fires for Helen when she died;
We lit no fires for oh so many more;
We let the fire die.
(CHORUS)
Don’t let the fire die;
Don’t let the fire die;
Keep it burning, fan those flames,
Don’t let the fire die.
We lit the fire for Michael when he died;
We lit the fire for Brionna when she died;
We light the fire for Elijah, as he dies
Don’t let the fire die.
We need to learn to love one another;
We need to listen, too.
We can’t close our eyes and our ears;
That’s when the fire dies.
(Chorus)
Sometimes we get it hot;
Sometimes we get it right;
Sometimes we let the fire go out,
We forget why we’re alive.
(Chorus and out)
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