Another recording from my studio…this is the rough final of a tune that’s been in the words for a month or more…and it still has a smoothing out that needs tuning….but with the words in the text and the words as I sing them unrehearsed and yet still potent, this may give a view of the process. I’ll be posting the earlier work-outs as I get the time.

This is the first version and not knowing where exactly the words are going to fall….

I am an immigrant 

disguised by my white skin

The humans in my country

look like me time and time again.

Anyone looking burnt

from a sun that spares no pain

I’ll put them to work

grind them in the dirt

and give them all the same name.

I am a pretender

dressed in crowns and jewels,

never got trapped 

in the Darian Gap

never lived under anything “Cruel”

never had to sell my soul

to keep a child in school

never had to spend a dime

for a two cents journey as a fool.

I am the seeker of truth

as long as it keeps me first

and rewards the sin

with all that pretends

to be what you think I’m worth.

I’ll preach a pretty penny

I’ll sell a funny story

you’ll be amused if not confused

that my power has no glory.

But I’m still in charge 

of small looking large

and my interpretation of all the Meaning

it won’t be long 

as we both sing the song

that keeps you thinking you’re winning.

-J. Olschner

This is the second version recored at the same time and still not knowing but with a better feel.

G/Bm

I am an immigrant 

disguised by my white skin

C

The humans in my country

are just like me 

time and time again.

G/Bm

Anyone else is looking burnt

D7

from a sun that’s hot to hurt 

G/Bm

and shines to spare no pain

G

only one that’s gong to be first

Bm

from a sun that hurts

Bº

and shines to spare no pain

C

I’ll put ’em all to work

Cm

grind ’em in the dirt

A                                                   D

give ’em all the same damn name.

I am a pretender

dressed in crowns and jewels,

owned the throne

made the Church my home

found the fear that goes with the Rule

put in the ground …..

never got trapped 

in the Darian Gap

never had a home town turn cruel

never had to sell my body

to keep my child in school

never had to spend a dime

for a two cents journey with a fool.

I am the seeker of truth

as long as it keeps me first

and rewards the sin of color.

I can’t be last, not in my past

since I depend on

what you think I’m worth.

I’ll preach a pretty penny

I’ll sell a funny story

you’ll be amused if not confused

that my power has no glory.

But I’m still in charge 

of small looking large

and my interpretation of all the Meaning

it won’t be long 

as we both sing the song

that keeps you thinking 

you’re winning.

-J. Olschner (2/26/26)