Ethel Cain uses her platform in aid of Palestine with moving piano ballad
The track is titled ‘من النهر’, which translates to ‘From the River’.
Photo: Josefina Santos
Photo: Unknown (via Ethel Cain’s Soundcloud/Instagram)
Singer-songwriter Ethel Cain has released a moving piano ballad as a tribute to Palestine as it faces an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Released on Valentine’s Day, the single was posted to Soundcloud alongside a post on Cain’s Instagram.
من النهر (From the River in English), is described as a “prayer” for those who have and continue to suffer in Palestine. Clocking in at nine and a half minutes, the song is a piano ballad that asks the lister important questions from the get-go: “Are you watching? / There is nowhere left to go / Would I matter / If I looked like someone you know?”. Segued by instrumental piano, Cain then implements the mantra used by Palestinians “From the river to the sea” into her lyricism, followed with “Do not forget me”. From the River’s instrumental structure tunes into the dark, brooding, and emotive sonics that help relay its message with power and passion. It’s a top-notch tribute with an effective message.
Cain has joined several artists in using their platform to bring awareness to what has been going on in Palestine; from Artists4Ceasefire to artists signing public letters asking their public officials to aid in ending the humanitarian crisis and to those sharing resources online. Perhaps one of the most direct examples of using their art form to promote change, it is a move that may not please everyone; however, pleasing everyone is not of the utmost importance. Talking about issues such as these and utilizing art as a vessel is a means of making hard conversations happen; to open doors. From the River is an emotive starting point and a point of solidarity, an artistic catalyst to strive for consumers to not forget those lost and make a wave in the sea of change.
At the time of publishing, there is an ongoing strike to support Palestine and other humanitarian crises. To learn more about this and more, find other helpful resources here.
من النهر is available to listen to via Ethel Cain’s Soundcloud.
