Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
$1.20AUD or more
about
Dorothy-Jane tackles the confusion, fear and shame of sexual abuse and hopes to empower victims to speak out.
She writes from personal experience, in this instance from the perspective of being the witness to her husband’s sexual abuse of a young child. She says “It was a shocking discovery as the child was a frequent visitor in our household. I was also shocked to find out after that this was not the first time the child had been in the grasp of my husband’s behaviour.”
Although this happened in 2016 and Dorothy-Jane’s now ex-husband is in prison, she is only now beginning to understand the level of control offenders have over their victims and the complex layers of these abusive relationships. She explains “Initially I wondered why the child hadn’t told me or her parents that this was happening. Later I found out that my husband had told her that people see it as wrong and if they found out he would go to jail!”
Dorothy-Jane recalls being inappropriately touched by a family member when she was eleven years old. “It happened in front of other family members. I objected loudly, saying ‘Get your hands off me’. I looked to the women in the room and they carried on as if nothing had happened.” She wishes someone had spoken up for her.
A light did shine through from the writing of this song with the child lending her support to see it, and Dorothy-Jane’s album, “The Witness” released. Working on the belief that knowledge can be a powerful deterrent, Dorothy-Jane hopes “Speak Out” will help victims understand that some secrets aren’t for keeping.
lyrics
If you feel stuck it might be time to change things up
If someone makes you scared, does that someone really care?
If it feels unjust, it’s time to learn who you can trust
Be brave, speak out, until we hear
If you feel alone, If you don’t feel safe at home
If something don’t feel right, let it out of the dark and into the light
If you feel trapped, if someone you love makes you feel bad
Be brave, speak out, until we hear
If you feel uncertain, if you feel confused
Remember that your body belongs to you
And if you’re being told to keep quiet
Remember secrets aren’t for keeping if they don’t feel right
Remember secrets aren’t for keeping if they don’t feel right
If you feel guilt or shame, think twice about who’s to blame
If you feel guilt or shame, remember other people have felt the same
Those people understand, they are near
They know how to help you face your fears
Be brave, speak out, until we hear
You have a right to feel safe. You have a right to live well
Nothing is so terrible that you can’t tell
Now is the time for shifting gear
Get it off your chest, tell it loud and clear
Be brave, speak out, until we hear
Shame don’t heal nobody, it just keeps us bound
Shame don’t heal nobody
Secrets aren’t for keeping if they don’t feel right
Secrets aren’t for keeping if they don’t feel right
credits
released November 29, 2019
Dorothy-Jane (vocal, harmonica), Ali Penney (keys), Ben Hoare (guitars), Matt Nightingale (bass) and Jack Barnard (drums). Guest musicians: John Mackey (saxophone). Chorus of voices: Johnny Huckle, Reidar Jorgensen, Krista Kamprad Grunreich, Finn Kamprad, Alison Penney, Rachel Thorne
Australian singer, songwriter, harmonica player. Veteran of the Canberra Blues scene. Performed across Australasia, released
8 albums, 2 EPs.
Her songs draw on her lived experiences, shed light on dark topics.
She's aka KarismaKatz, DJ/DeeJay Gosper, Hot Flush Blues Band, Dorothy-Jane with Richard Steele, Jeff & Deej....more
Inspired by their travels in New Orleans, Naples, and the UK, the “Italian-hills country blues” duo pen a global love letter to roots music. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2022
The second album by French-Moroccan power quartet Bab L' Bluz is packed with dizzying melodies and rich instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 14, 2024
A concept record about coming-of-age gleefully grifts from all types of rock music, from garage to glam to power pop. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 13, 2022
