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Tonga (for Pita Taufatofua)

by vee device

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about

A song in honor of Pita Taufatofua's amazing journey to Pyeongchang--we're rooting for Tonga!

lyrics

When you count the broken bones,
Homeless kids from broken homes
That I’ve seen,
Lying here down on this mat
16-1, I’m happy where I’m at
With my dreams.

And though people said
I should’ve worn some pants,
Just some shirtless beefcake
Without a chance...

So my summer failed to hold
All I hoped for that was gold,
No fear.
Four more years--too long to wait.
Maybe coconuts can skate?
I’ve got one year.

And so I embarked
To make the team again--
Tonga’s first dual season
Olympian.

Petter Northug noticed me
Said I should give up the skis--
Nice try.
I’ll tell you now that it's no joke
Even though I’m going broke,
It’s my time.

Just some snowboard wax
On skis I can’t afford;
Let conditions hold
My sweet Lord.

I beat a billion Indians,
Lost in Turkey, made some friends,
Saw snow,
In Poland lost one of my skis,
Spent six hours in a taxi:
No gos.

On deadline day
I had a single chance
To get there drove through
An avalanche.

I gave it everything I had.
The Arctic Circle’s not so bad,
Though it’s cold.
You can’t say I didn’t try:
Crossed the line, looked like I’d died--
So I’m told.

If you try your best,
Hold on to what you seek;
You too can master
Uphill technique.

Karmic icing on the cake--
Petter Northug failed to make
Pyeongchang.
Let this mustard seed of faith
Inspire those kids from Brisbane way--
My hometown gang.

And when doubters linger
Questioning your grace,
Remember Taufatofua
earned his place

For you.

credits

released January 30, 2018

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all rights reserved

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about

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vee device Fort Collins, Colorado

vee device are a landlocked band who've made an album all about remote islands and the people who inhabit them. Go figure. The music is jaunty, but not in a sea-shanty kind of way. The lyrics are detailed, but not in a "let's pull out an encyclopedia" kind of way (unless that encyclopedia is full of short snippets from Wikipedia, of course). vee device love songs about places they will never see. ... more

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