The Lady Lifers: A moving song from women in prison for life
As Senhoras Prisão Perpétua: Uma música comovente de mulheres cumprindo prisão perpétua
A life sentence in Pennsylvania means exactly that; there is no possibility of parole. These women, all of whom have served decades in prison, sing about their lives on the inside. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
in Pennsylvania means just that:
na Pensilvânia significa simplesmente:
de liberdade condicional.
como nos chamamos,
é através da comutação,
to two women since 1989,
a duas mulheres desde 1989,
enquanto cumprimos a prisão perpétua,
the possibility of parole.
de liberdade condicional.
sem liberdade condicional ♩
for the wrong I've done.
espero por misericórdia ♩
me entregarei ao medo ♩
for the wrong I've done.
This is not my home.
esse não é o meu lar ♩
espero por misericórdia ♩
que não deveria pagar ♩
de ser livre algum dia ♩
that I'm chained?
que estou acorrentada? ♩
of my younger days?
dos meus dias de juventude? ♩
for the wrong I've done.
This is not my home.
esse não é o meu lar ♩
espero por misericórdia ♩
como prisioneira 008106.
in Hoffman, North Carolina.
Carolina do Norte.
in Philadelphia, P.A.
na Filadélfia, Pensilvânia.
in Philadelphia, P.A,
na Filadélfia, Pensilvânia,
como prisioneira 007080.
and one half years.
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
em Pittsburgh, Pensilvânia,
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
The Lady Lifers - InmatesA life sentence in Pennsylvania means exactly that; there is no possibility of parole. These women, all of whom have served decades in prison, sing about their lives on the inside.
Why you should listen
“I’m a woman, I’m a grandmother, I’m a daughter, I have a son,” sings Brenda Watkins, lead vocalist for The Lady Lifers. “I’m not an angel, I’m not the devil. I came to jail when I was so young.”
The Lady Lifers are a chorus of women serving life sentences in Muncy State Prison in Pennsylvania. While they are often known by their inmate numbers, they also have names: Brenda Watkins, Dannielle Hadley, Debra Lee Brown, Theresa Battles, Diane Metzger, Thelma Nichols, Joann Butler, Lena Brown, Trina Garnett, Naomi Blount. Together, they sing about their hopes and fears, including the very real possibility that they may die alone in prison.
The words to their song “This is Not My Home” by Howard Woodring. Music by Naomi Blount.
The Lady Lifers | Speaker | TED.com