Stay Connected

Evangeline offers up a question many of us wonder as we build home-bases in different corners of the world: how do we stay connected to one home while building another home far from it? Composed with DocSong teaching artists from Renovare Music, this song takes us through Evangeline’s journey home to India, where she is overcome with a newfound appreciation for the place she grew up.

Storyteller

Evangeline Byler

Teaching Artists

Clara Prinston

Lalia Curtis

Rebecca Shasberger

Performers

Clara Prinston

Lalia Curtis

Rebecca Shasberger

Song Lyrics

Going back home, back to India
It was so reflective for me

I didn’t need to adjust, I was just home
And it was really hard to leave

I saw India in a different way
Through the lens of tradition
Seeing my heritage, seeing my culture
I’m so proud to be from there

How can I be authentic with my identity?
Who am I, what am I holding on to?
What can I bring back to keep me connected?
What can I bring back to keep me connected?

I miss home and its traditions
Things we preserve, that get passed down.
Our language, hospitality, knowing our vendors,
Being in the kitchen with my Ajji

I’m a mom to baby Ellie now
She may not experience these things.
How can I show her this in Cleveland?
I think about these questions more

How can I be authentic with my identity?
Who am I, what am I / holding on to?
What can I bring back to keep us connected?
What can I bring back to keep us connected?

When I came here, I lost a bit of who I was
No one talks about how hard it is
To lose a part of yourself
It was a leap of faith,
A fresh start

How can I be authentic with my identity?
Who am I, what am I / holding on to?
What can I bring back to keep us connected?
What can I bring back to keep us connected?