Song lyrics with discussion questions
DNA O Sister
a song in Rachel’s voice, by Alicia Jo Rabins/Girls in Trouble
DNA O sister I am half you half me
in between the molecules I feel it when you breathe
late at night when all the house goes silent in their sleep
I will give you everything I promised him I’d keep
Older and younger and hunter and thief
which one is you, and which one is me
silver and water and petal and leaf
Some sisters stay home and some sisters leave
some sisters get what the other ones need
some sisters blossom and some sisters bleed
Both of us are braided through with candles blood and bread
both of us were born with all these visions in our head
you would always promise me that one day we’d be free
late at night I’m leaving and I’m taking you with me
Questions for Discussion
- This song imagines Rachel singing to Leah. How does it portray Rachel’s feelings towards her sister?
- Treasure hunt: how many elements of the Biblical and Midrashic text can you find in this song?
- What emotions does this song evoke for you? In the music? In the lyrics?
