“Lay Me Down” – Hanson

Over the past year and a half, Hanson has been doing charity work to help make people aware of the devastation AIDS and poverty are causing in Africa. Their work has included a partnership with organizations such as TOMS Shoes, barefoot walks before their concerts and a book entitled “Take the Walk” that they wrote about their visits to Africa and the impact of their work.

Paired with the book is an EP with several songs on it that discuss what Hanson experienced while visiting the continent. One of the tracks, “Lay Me Down,” is about the many funerals that take place each weekend in Soweto, South Africa. AIDS and poverty are killing so many people each day, the funerals must take place on the weekends at a graveyard called Avalon. “To Avalon we line the streets / I only hope that you’ll finally rest.”

Hanson’s song is focused on a parent’s suffering as he has to lay his child to rest. The lyrics are deep and heartfelt, and oftentimes I find my heart in my throat.

“There are no reasons to explain / A silent killer bears no blame / There are no answers though I pray / I die though this is not my grave.”