I traveled around the nation
Met a man whose life means rejection
Tossed him a smile for his affliction
Was that the price of guilt or compassion

Am I a victim of religion
Or just a product of civilization
Will the Lord reward our good actions
Or is it just another illusion
Because I know I don’t belong here
Because I know I don’t belong in heaven

I traveled around the nation
Met a woman named Salvation
She offered me her love and affection
And every kiss and hug felt like prison

Am I a victim of religion
Or just a product of civilization
Will the Lord reward our good actions
Or is it just another illusion
Because I know I don’t belong here
Because I know I don’t belong in heaven

And I traveled around the nation
Met a man who sold hope and potions
He said my life was sad, had a solution
For a fee I’ll grant you elation

Now am I a victim of religion
Or just a product of civilization
Will the Lord reward our good actions
Or is it just another illusion
Because I know I don’t belong here
Because I know that I don’t belong in heaven
Yes, I know that I don’t belong here
And I know that I don’t belong in heaven

And I traveled around the nation
Saw little children starving
I would gladly sell my soul if I have one
If the Devil gives them meals and education

Now am I a victim of religion
Or just a product of civilization
Will the Lord reward our good actions
Or is it just another illusion
Because I know I don’t belong here
And I know that I don’t belong in heaven
And I know that I don’t belong here
And I know that I don’t belong in heaven

© 2022 – Jean-Rene Ella

The music in A Time to Be Blue is soaked with influences from all the genres that have shaped me over the years. It speaks softly, breaks your heart, but also heals it. It sings of loss, but fills the hole left behind, like the ode to my mother in “She’s Gone” or the tribute to a dear friend departed too soon in “You Left Me Blue.” It rocks you gently as you curl up with a book and a cup of tea with “Naima’s Evening Song,” but also invites you to dance to the rhythms of my native city of Yaoundé in “Home.”

The album is digitally available on various streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and more. You can listen to the album directly on our website here.

For videos visit our YouTube channel with new videos added frequently.