United by Song

United by Song - Virtual Event

Presented by the 11 local United Ways in Atlantic Canada, United by Song will feature inspiring stories and songs highlighting the impact of United Way in our region.

While you’re waiting for the event to start, scroll down to read about our 2021 storytellers and songwriters and other participants.

An unforgettable experience.

Even though we won’t all be in the same room, the event will remind us that we are still connected and are better, together.

Depending on ‘where you’re from,’ a Songs of the City or United by Song event might already be an annual tradition for you! No matter what it’s called, the experience is the same: discovering the life-changing impact of donating to your local United Way.

Today is no different, other than the obvious: we’re going virtual and we’re broadcasting all across Atlantic Canada with a storyteller and songwriter pairing from each province. Together, we’ll hear four people courageously share their stories about how programs funded by United Way donors have made a huge difference in their lives. And we’ll also witness four musicians put their own spin on those stories, telling them through their gift of music. Keep scrolling to read more about this year’s participants.

Thanks for tuning in! And thanks especially for your ongoing support of United Way.

Participants

Deva Station & Dyna Might (hosts)

Deva and Dyna are elders of the Halifax Drag community, dubbing themselves “Drag Auntie” and “Drag Daddy,” respectively. Deva’s no-nonsense humour gives everyone around her permission to celebrate beauty, confidence, and above all, love. Seven feet tall in hair and heels, and an attitude through the roof, Deva is a polished, experienced, and seasoned performer, appearing regularly on television and in movies. Lately, the majority of Jacob’s time (the man behind the Queen) has been spent behind the scenes, ensuring the success of their co-owned and operated production company: StationDRG Media Productions. But don’t worry, he’s breaking out the stilettos for United by Song! Together these two partners in life and business are producing YouTube content, TV shows and segments, and ensuring the world is a safe space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Eli

Eli (Elias) is a second year History and ACLC student at UPEI. He has had a long-term interest in visual arts and youth education. Being part of the PEI Queer Youth Collective (a United Way-funded program from PEERS Alliance) allowed him to begin to become more comfortable as himself and become more educated about how to better support fellow queer or questioning youth. He hopes to use his experience to help others however he can as he continues his own journey of self-exploration.

Mike Ross

A Charlottetown, PEI native, Mike Ross is a leading force as a performer and composer in Canada. The founding director of music at Soulpepper Theatre Company, his musical, Spoon River was a critic’s pick in the New York Times. He was lead singer of the popular ECMA award-winning Island band, THE JIVE KINGS, an international fellow at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and also composes for the screen, having written the theme song for CBC’s Kim’s Convenience. Mike and his wife Nicole are now owner-operators of Harmony House, a small theatre in Hunter River, PEI which has become a key part of the Island’s cultural landscape, hosting hundreds of performances from local acts to international stars.

Eli Wonders Why

by Mike Ross

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t see you

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t feel you

Pain so bad, exit stage left

Wait for the light, try again

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t hear you

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t know you

This time it’s new, maybe it’s you

Maybe it’s not

Find a few friends that are new

Are they like you? Are you like them?

Seems to be true, true enough for now

True enough, cause how else can you get through?

And be you

Eli wonders why (x4)

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t reach you

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t teach you

Where can we go, where someone knows

What we’ve been through?

We’re all goin’ here, so come along

Yeah, alright

We’re all goin’ there, so come along

Okay

Walk through a door

Is this place for me, or is it too good to be true?

Patriot love, and all of us command

And all of us command

And all of us command

Eli wonders why

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t hold you

Growin’ up, in a place that can’t mold you

Prom time for who?

Eli says it’s you

Prom time for me and you

Eli wondered why

Growin’ up, in a place that might know you

Growin’ up, in a place that might show you

True patriot love

True patriot love

And all of us command

Eli wonders why (x7)

Sylvie

Sylvie is from Moncton, New Brunswick and is legally blind. She has an extensive background in social work, and with assistance from United Way-funded organizations CNIB and 211NB, Sylvie was set up for success working from home as a 211 service navigator. These organizations also helped her move into her own apartment. Having a new job that she loves and being able to live on her own has fueled Sylvie’s sense of independence and joy. Through her role as a service navigator, she’s connecting other New Brunswickers with the community programs they need.

Émilie Landry

Originaire de Campbellton, au nord du Nouveau-Brunswick, Émilie fait ses premiers pas professionnels dans le monde de la musique à partir de 2009 dans des événements tels que le concours Accros de la chanson, le Gala de la chanson de Caraquet, Le Festival International de la chanson de Granby et Ma Première place des arts. C’est en 2016 au Campus Notre-Dame de Foy de Québec qu’elle décroche son diplôme en chant pop et jazz et rencontre ceux qui formeront avec elle le groupe Émilie & Les City Folks. Ils lancent ensemble un album intitulé Tomber Dedans le 16 juin 2016. En 2017, alors qu’elle continue à se former en écriture de chanson et en auto-gestion de carrière artistique, elle signe avec l’agence acadienne Le Grenier musique en label et en booking. Cette même année, ce n’est autre que l’artiste français Daran qui réalise son premier EP solo intitulé Être social sorti le 20 octobre 2017. Ses chansons "Tomber dedans" (Émilie et Les City Folks) et "Embrasse un miroir" (Être social) se sont classées en 5e et 6e place dans le top 40 acadien des chansons les plus jouées dans les radios de l’Atlantique en 2017 (ARCANB).

The road less traveled by (English translation)

by Émilie Landry

I was packing my things
When my parents came in
They said “It’s your turn to spread your wings and fly, don’t forget your back pack before you say goodbye”

I rolled my eyes
But I was shaking inside
Facing the unknown of what my life would bring
No directions, just a backpack and my things

I’ll muster all the courage I have
And I’ll walk down my own path
If I get lost I’ll keep my head high
Thanks to them, I’ve always known how to walk the road less traveled by

Alone in my new place
The first time I felt their absence
I understood how blessed I truly was
To have known the support and the kindness of their love

My heart ballooned with pride
Whispered an idea to my mind
Suddenly I knew who I was meant to be
A northern star for those who weren’t as blessed as me

I mustered all the courage I had
And I made us a new path
Together we’re never high and dry
Thanks to them, I’ve always known how to walk the road less traveled by

Les Sentiers Non Battus

par Émilie Landry

J’faisais mes valises
Quand mes parents m’ont dit
“C’est à ton tour de prendre ton envol, oublie pas ton pack sack avant que tu décolles”

J’ai roulé les yeux
Mais j’étais tellement nerveuse
Devant moi l’inconnue de toute une vie
Pas de GPS juste un pack sac pis une valise

J’vais prendre mon courage à deux mains
J’vais me défricher un chemin
Et si un jour je suis perdu
Grâce à eux j’ai toujours su
Marcher les sentiers non battus

Seule dans mon appartement
J’ai ressenti l’absence
J’ai compris la chance que j’ai eue
D’avoir le support que d’autres ont jamais connu

Mon coeur gonflé de fierté
M’a soufflé une idée
Dans un instant j’ai su qui j’allais devenir
Une étoile pour ceux qui craignent l’avenir

J’ai pris mon courage à deux mains
Je nous ai défriché un chemin
Ensemble on n’est jamais perdu
C’est grâce à eux que j’ai toujours su
Marcher les sentiers non battus

Mike

Mike found routine, structure, and the compassionate support he needed to rebuild his life at a United Way-funded organization called Freedom Foundation. It’s a local supportive housing program for men recovering from addiction. Now with full-time employment and over one year clean, Mike says he’s got a new purpose in life, and most importantly – freedom.

General Khan

General Khan is a local artist and community organizer, born and raised in Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia). For General Khan, poetry is an expression that is tied to her identity as a displaced Pashtun. Her art style is influenced by her lived experiences with oppression such as white supremacy, colonialism, displacement, racism, islamophobia, disability justice, and more. General Khan’s debut album, Wrath of Khan, was released on April 30th, 2021.

Here to Stay

by General Khan

He’s struggling with himself, it’s not hard to tell
How deep sadness dwells, takes a toll on his mental health

Trying to find strength on the verge of death
He was compelled to buy all that he was dealt

Now his high is deep as his cells thinking that he failed
Ashamed he inhales, thinking that his life will never change

Harmful chemicals all up in his veins, but you my dearest brother I don’t blame
You need help, I know that you’re drained

But you’ll be amazed at the revolution that your soul contains

Don’t let that feeling fade,
The choice is yours to make, to heal that pain

You have no money, but you make sense, proud to see you take that first step

Trauma got you feeling a way, but your little boy needs you to stay

He found freedom in foundation, so Mikey found his way

Chorus:
If you knew, only knew
How much I been through
Just to find my way, find my way
Now I’m here to stay, here to stay

She lost herself battling addictions,
They took all her children without any permission

All that trauma caused was friction,

The cycled continued, to her daughter she was reliving

Her mother’s reality, weighin’ her down heavy like it was gravity,

She broke the cycle
For her kid’s survival

She went through spiritual revival
There is no denial

Strongest person that I’ve ever known
In her pain I can see her love show

From the highest highs to the lowest lows
Even a rose has its thorns, that’s how flowers grow

Power to those,
in the struggle with addictions,

It doesn’t take much to listen

And love,

you have so much to give
So please don’t give up

All missteps are lesson
In every mistake there is a blessing

Chorus:
If you knew, only knew
How much I been through
Just to find my way, find my way
Now I’m here to stay, here to stay

Don

After the death of his wife, Don lived in a retirement home where his lifelong battle with depression only got worse. He was grateful to eventually find his own apartment, but with no furniture to his name Don describes that time as one of the lowest points of his life. Then he found a United Way-funded organization called Home Again Furniture Bank, people who Don refers to as “angels of mercy.” Sometimes it’s the small things that make a huge difference, and for Don that furniture meant he could start living his life again.

Ana Luísa Ramos

Ana Luísa Ramos released her first solo album, Um, in 2016. Since then, the Brazilian singer based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, has been working on different projects, including her duo with Eric Taylor Escudero, Ana & Eric. In 2021, Ana signed with the Canadian label, The Citadel House, and has just released her new single “Céu Azul.” Her sophomore album, Amanheceu, is going to be released in September 2021.

A Song For You (for Don)

by Ana Luísa Ramos

I know that you ́ve been through a lot
And I know that some days are tough
Life can be heavy, my friend
Life can be unfair

But a new day came, and then you felt
You felt that life is still worth living

On the hardest times you felt the love, it gave you courage
And through the darkest times, you saw the light

So a new day came, and then you felt
You felt the love, you felt that life is still worth living
But a new day came, and then you felt
You felt the love, you felt that life is still worth living

Our Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors who showed up together for community.