Bill 21

by Audrey Saparno

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about

I wrote this song to give a face and a story to the effects of the Bill 21 legislation or Project de la loi 21 in Quebec which is a law enacted since 2019 that prevents the wearing of religious symbols by provincial public officials.

I hope that this song brings light and perspective to let one feel and rethink its negative impact on everyday people. I wrote it from stories of people I know and putting myself in their shoes.

This song was produced with Jim Bryson/Fixed Hinge Studio in Stittsville, ON.

lyrics

Bill 21 by Audrey Saparno

Leila looks in the mirror
Stands up straight and tall
Sees her scarf with all its colour
She’s proud to be from Montreal

Chorus
21 was just a number
21 ways to say hello
21 candles on her cake
But now she feels she doesn’t belong here,
Anymore

She was a fierce activist
She performed the Hajj
She finished top of her class
Dreamed of being a judge

Chorus

Bridge
Betrayed by neighbours
The hurt lingers
She has the right, but she’s too tired to fight
This is her home
She feels so alone

The doors are closed here for Leila
She has to cross the border
To chase her dream of law
Her beliefs will drive her

Chorus

21 was just a number
21 ways to say goodbye
21 candles on her cake
But now she feels she doesn’t belong here,
Anymore

21 était seulement un numero
21 façons de dire A bientôt
21 chandelles sur son gâteau
Mais maintenant elle sent qu’elle n’a plus sa place ici

credits

released December 1, 2023
produced with Jim Bryson/Fixed Hinge Studio, Stittsville, ON.
mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
song and lyrics by Audrey Saparno

license

about

Audrey Saparno Ottawa, Ontario

Audrey Saparno is an Ottawa singer-songwriter. Her warm and powerful vocals accompanied by her acoustic guitar weave a soulful sound to her folk-style songs. Songwriting lets her share her stories from a Canadian Muslim woman perspective. Her lyrics vary from stories of women empowerment, to spiritual love, to finding hope through life’s challenges. ... more

discography

Bill 21

Dec 2023
No. 1 Fan

Sep 2023
Butterflies

May 2022
Beauty Inside

Oct 2016

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