This musical tribute project was dedicated Shin Yasui, a 26-year old humanitarian aid worker who spent several years in Bosnia and the war torn regions of former Yugoslavia. Shin was a friend to people of all sides and his unique simple kindness, honesty and open heart was an inspiration to all those whose lives he touched. He was a citizen of Japan, International Student Award winner and University of Oregon student who died in 1998 in a traffic accident in Austria. All proceeds for album sales go to a the Shin Yasui Memorial Library project. Nalini Lasiewicz worked with Shin Yasui long distance, during the 1990s, when he helped launch Mladi Most -- a youth program in the war-torn city of Mostar, Bosnia-Herzogovina. Nalini was inspired by the bravery of the aid workers and peace activists in the region. Recognizing that the longing for a peaceful world crosses all boundaries of race, religion and creed, Nalini founded a non-profit organization in Los Angeles to support the efforts of dozens of humanitarian aid groups. "A Voice Within" is a compilation of her songs, written or recorded during that period. Produced and arranged by: Darryl F. Jensen & Nalini Lasiewicz Additional Production and Arrangements: Richard Barron Mark Justin Musicians: (not listed by track here) Nalini Lasiewicz: Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, dulcimer Darryl Jensen: Electric, electric 12, slide, steel and nylon string guitars Jerry Angel, Paul Berholzheimer: Drums & Percussion Don Huffington, Drums Paul Eckman: Bass Sheldon Gomberg: Bass Richard Barron: Hammond Organ, Flute Bill Cunliffe: Piano Probyn Gregory: Horns Probyn Gregory, Wendie Colter, Rick Jensen: Backing vocals Children’s choir (“Kosovo, Kosova”) 4th grade class at Pasadena Waldorf School Strings/Winds: Jerry Purr, John Acosta, Roberto Cani, Barry Newton, Gerardo Hilera, Raul Fernando Recorded by: Richard Barron Sonora Recorders, Los Angeles Additional Engineering: Scott Gordon Paul Berholzheimer Cover art photo: Balkan Sunflowers - Nicole Burkart Music and lyrics by Nalini Lasiewicz. Contact: lasiewiczn@aol.com LYRICS SEVENTH GENERATION Did you know when you built your cave, and used your tools to hunt for prey, Did you know there would come a day your fires and fury would lead this way? CHORUS And when you held your stick up high And aimed it at the endless sky - Did you think you would touch the hand of someone in the Seventh Generation? Reaching over five thousand Nations Like you reached me? Whoa yeah! As you drifted, counting stars -- did you think you'd sail this far? As the New World welcomed you -- Could you guess the harm you'd do? CHORUS On the day she won the vote -- and spoke above the cigar smoke, she said "A woman's place is Life!" -- did she think we'd get the right? CHORUS And on the day you took a stand, and tied your leg to a Redwood branch could you see a greener day, when asphalt lots are cleared away? CHORUS ======================= A VOICE WITHIN Your story will be told. Your story will be told.... Now that you've left us I can see you better than before. I feel a windy storm was blowin' through your caring soul, Shin -- A voice within. You gave of yourself, listening to people who were cast away. Offering friendship at a time when all love was blown away. Shin -- A voice within. Timeless. The life you led. Kindness, in your own quiet way. Your life was cut short, tears overwhelmed me and those you left behind. We will carry your memory inside us A burning brilliant light Shin – A voice within. ======================= E-MAIL TO BOSNIA Each day I read the news and watch as nations explode. My heart sinks, and skips a beat, when I hear what the people are told. CHORUS They’re told lies. Surrounding me tonight. Blinkin’ from a screen Twisting the minds of all those who don’t know that they’re lies….purposefully told to ruin the changes for Peace to take hold of the lives of all people. Some friends don’t understand why this is haunting my dreams A century of war and the ghosts that remain have taught me what my freedom means, CHORUS Years pass – headlines fade. Still the damage of war marches on. Follow the money and you will find yhe people, behind all of those lies…. CHORUS ======================= HOLD ON On a tightrope, looking down You've lost touch with solid ground. You have to reach so deep inside, To find the place where hope resides. CHORUS Hold on, hold on. There's a hand there, you will find it. Even though you feel you're drifting in darkness Over yonder….there's a light there. My new friend felt so alone His wife and child too far from home. At first I called them “refugees” Until he told their names to me. CHORUS I heard stories from the war. And peeked behind some broken doors. We helped repair some battered frames Our hearts will never be the same. CHORUS ======================= KOSOVO, KOSOVA We'll never see eye-to-eye until we hear with our hearts open wide. We have our differences, don't we? In the time and the place we were raised. In the temples and churches that taught us different ways. You say that revenge is all right. That a man must pay for his ancestors crimes. But once that old bottle is opened and the genie let out of his cage The rights of all others are shattered along the way! One side says: "Wo wo wo...Kosovo!" And the other side says, "La la la......Kosova!" I didn't start out to offend you and I'm sorry that it's turned out that way. But there are two sides to the story, and you don't want to hear what they are But you want us to follow you blindly… Into war! One side says: "La la la.........Kosova!" And the other side says, "Wo wo wo......Kosovo!" We'll never see eye-to-eye Until we hear with our hearts opened wide We have our differences don't we In the weapons and tools that we choose In the heartache we're willing to suffer Or to use! We have our differences, don't we? In the way that we look at the world In the stories and people we care for Or ignore! We have our differences, don't we? ======================= WOMEN FOR PEACE Written for Women in Black, Belgrade, Serbia You're standing in the kitchen. It's the only warm room. Getting ready to go out, though a part of you, doesn't want to. You remember your childhood, When the world was at war. And now it's happening all over How could anyone take any more? Put your black coat on. Take the signs you've Drawn - Join the ladies, downtown…. Becoming….. CHORUS Women for Peace Down in the street. Women for Peace…. Out on the street. You've given more than you bargained. How many tears did you cry? Now you march in his memory telling anyone who happens by. Some will curse you with glances. In a mob, you only feel fear. Then you hear someone whisper, "I'm so grateful that, you're always here!" Pick a day to start, speak out from your heart You're no longer alone! CHORUS ======================= YOU’RE NOT ALONE So, you wanna feed the world, But you don’t know where to begin Or what to do; I’ll tell you something – CHORUS You’re not alone. There’s a lot of people in this world, Who share your concern for tomorrow. And they’re looking for you, And your ideas and your help and your love You....yeah, yeah you. So you found peace in your heart, Now you want to find a way to Spread it through the world I’ll give you a clue. CHORUS