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Shaking The Tree Lyrics

We are shaking the tree

Waiting your time, dreaming of a better life
Waiting your time, you're more than just a wife
You don't want to do what your mother has done
(she has done)
This is your life, this new life has begun
It's your day -- a woman's day
It's your day -- a woman's day

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave
Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave
Find your sisters and brothers who can hear all the truth
In what you say
They can support you when you're on your way
It's your day -- a woman's day
It's your day -- a woman's day

We are shaking the tree

Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you
Changing your ways, more than any man can do
Open your heart, show him the anger and pain
So you heal
Maybe he's looking for his womanly side

And you feel you had to be so strong
And you do nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all
We're gonna to break it down
We have to shake it down, shake it all around

We are shaking the tree
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Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

Thinger, that's just hilarious. "Stop supporting the rights of women or I won't buy your albums!"

I don't think Pete would mind if one misogynist stopped listening to his music. In fact, he'd probably be pleased. (Though no doubt he'd prefer that you change your mind and see that men and women are both worthy of self-expression and freedom.)

My Opinion

Funny: As I was scrolling down and came across thinger's post, I wanted to reply exactly the same as you have. Thanks!

Not Valid

@DexX So many men, have so little empathy. You may never understand. Try to imagine being overpowered, and raped by another man. That is what many women will experience in their lifetime. Pray to god that never happens to you, or your loved ones.

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

It's about womyn rights, obviusly .. but u all have to remember that this song was written by Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'dour. i disagree with the comment that said that this song talks about the christian church. i guees it refers another culture that discriminate women as a life style. sorry my mistakes, i speak spanish

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

This is an unusually literal song from PG, all about women's empowerment, and talking about women claiming their rights in a positive way, talking to the men in their lives and trying to grow together, rather than fighting them. This and Today I Am A Daisy by Deborah Conway are, I think, the two most positive songs about modern feminism.

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

Women's rights come to Muslim Africa (ending the tradition of female circumcision) and the world in general.

YEAH!

"We are shaking the tree" -- shaking people out of their complacency about traditional gender roles. PG is the greatest!

Does anyone know the meaning of the opening words that sound like "boka la hey, boka la hai?" Is it also Somali, or just Peter's invented language? ;)

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

A very empowering song. Inspirational, and hopeful. Gabriel may be one of the most talented song writers ever.

@Major Valor ditto dude ditto, you got that spot on.

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

One very important thing, which was a major part of Youssou N'Dour's contribution to this song, is the term, "Souma yergon, sou nou yergon", which means in (I think) Somali, "If we had known, if we had only known!"

Since these words begin the song, and are repeated throughout, it's surprising to me that the lyrics shown above exclude them. Why is that, exactly?

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is very well informed, thoughtful,empathetic and has a deep spiritual embrace of humanity. He created the band Genesis. There are references to archangel Gabriel in the Old Testament. Archangel Peter Gabriel is one of the few, if any archangels that is also referenced in the New Testament.

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

Only one coment????????

veery disapointed... :(

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

the idea about woman rights sounds so good to me. though has anybody noticed that in peter's steam video (which is all about making love and the fruits of that love obviously) they actually catch babies falling from a tree they shake with a woman, somewhere at the end? :)

@carrotkins There is an enormous difference between consensual sex and sexual assault.

Cover art for Shaking The Tree lyrics by Peter Gabriel

the idea about woman rights sounds so good to me. though has anybody noticed that in peter's steam video (which is all about making love and the fruits of that love obviously) they actually catch babies falling from a tree they shake with a woman, somewhere at the end? :)