Ally (the ballad of Lauri Carlton)
a song by Jason Baker
Hi all,
Thank you for joining me for this week’s song, “Ally (the ballad of Lauri Carlton)”, by Jason Baker. If you’d like to hear the song before you read the background, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article.
Below, you’ll find my interpretation of the lyrics (written in italics). Comments and questions are welcome. For Japanese students, vocabulary words in bold are provided in Japanese below. TOEFL (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.
(683 words)
In this article, we have invited singer/songwriter Jason Baker to join us for a short interview. He wrote the song for today, Ally (the ballad of Lauri Carlton).
Before we start, readers should have a little background on Lauri Carlton.
Lauri Carlton was an ally of the LGBTQ community in San Bernardino, California. She owned a clothing store in the town of Cedar Glen, about 100 kilometers east of Los Angeles. Outside her store, she flew a rainbow pride flag. At times, people would tear down the flag, but she always put it up again. Lauri was not a member of the LGBTQ community, but she did support them.
On Aug. 18, 2023, a man pulled down the flag, yelled anti-gay insults at Lauri, and then shot her. When the police arrived, the suspect, Travis Ikeguchi, 27, fired at the police. The officers shot and killed Ikeguchi.
Lauri’s husband and nine children and many, many friends mourn her loss.
Louise: Jason, would you tell us a little about your background. How did you start as a singer/songwriter?
Jason: I’ve played guitar since I was 14. I didn’t really try writing songs until much later in life, in 2017. I just felt the need to learn how and try it, and found I had plenty of musical ideas.
Louise: For you, why is it important to write songs about social issues?
Jason: When I started writing, I found that some of the songs were topical or even political in subject and tone. It’s simply part of what was on my mind at the time. I realized this was a theme I could focus on, as I had some things to say about the current state of the world.
Louise: Why did you write the song, Ally (The Ballad of Lauri Carlton)?
Jason: To honor and celebrate the life of a brave woman who stood up for other’s rights as well as her own. I think she is a true American hero and should be remembered.
Louise: What else would you like the readers of Social Issues in Song to know?
Jason: Writing social justice songs that are effective is not easy. It’s important to connect with people’s emotions, often by telling a story. Too much “editorializing” can make the song hard to “feel”.
Louise: Thank you, Jason, for sharing with our readers your thoughts about Lauri Carlton and about songwriting.
Being an ally
Being an ally to people of the LGBT community isn’t difficult. Remember that it’s hard for some people to come out because they are afraid of the reaction of the people around them. You can make it easier for them. Imagine you are talking with a female friend and ask, “Do you have a boyfriend?”, or you ask a male friend, “Do you have a girlfriend?” Just by changing the question to “Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?”, you send a signal that whatever they say is okay with you.
If someone comes out to you
If someone comes out to you, thank them for being honest with you, and remember that the person is the same person you knew before they told you.
The song (sung to the traditional American folk song, Red River Valley)
Laurie Carlton was an ally
Who stood up for you and for me
She died for flying rainbow colors
And standing for equality
Lauri Carlton was a mother
An artist, and shop owner, too
She devoted her life to finding beauty
And sharing it with me and with you
Lauri Carlton did not take the flag down
She wanted for everyone to see
Her support for equal rights for every person
And her love for all humanity
So, remember Laurie Carton
One of the free and the brave*
Let’s remember ally Lauri Carlton
Not the gunman who laid her in a grave
Lauri Carlton was an ally
Who stood up for you and for me
She died for flying rainbow colors
And standing for equality
* In the national anthem (official song) of the United States, there is a line that says: O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Here, “one of the free and the brave” means Lauri Carlton was an American.
Questions:
What are some things that a brave person would do?
What makes someone a hero?
Pronunciation Point
ally (n.) as a noun, it is pronounced AL-eye [ˈaˌlī]
ally (v.) as a verb, it is pronounced a-LIE [əˈlī ]
VOCABULARY
tear down 取り壊す
mourn 嘆く
topical 話題の
editorialize 意見を入れる, 論説する
devote 励む
humanity 人間らしさ
grave 墓
Sources
Franklin, J. (2023, August 22). The suspect in a California woman’s murder over a pride flag was killed in a shootout. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/20/1194932544/lauri-carleton-california-store-owner-killed-pride-flag-lgbtq. Accessed 24 Feb 2024.
Guardian News and Media. (2023, August 20). California shop owner shot dead over LGBTQ+ Pride flag displayed at store. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/20/california-shop-owner-shot-dead-over-lgbtq-pride-flag. Accessed 24 Feb 2024.
Visit Jason Baker’s Website at:
and his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClNM_mM6q8mEdCtHtiQNSdw
I remember reading this story and mourning the loss of this brave and principled woman. I’m glad she has a song to commemorate her life. I also mourn the shooter whose mental state led to the loss of his young life. Such suffering for all.
I had read about Lauri Carlton when her killing first made the news and was inspired by her courage defending people beyond her circle. We certainly know that with ever attack on her flag, she was also attacked herself verbally though she stood strong. What an amazing person and a fine tribute to her by Jason - Thank you. I sure suspect Pete Seeger would be pleased with your work.