You're Not Better Than Me

"You’re Not Better Than Me"

Winner of the National Coalition Aganst Domestic Violence (NCADV)
2008 “Breaking The Silence in Song” Theme Song Competition,
written and performed by award winning singer, songwriter and activist

Ellen Bukstel

This powerful and haunting music is the backdrop to a beautifully choreographed black and white photo study representing women and children who are victims of domestic violence

You're Not Better Than Me

©2005 words and music by Ellen Bukstel

She woke up her little boy In the middle of the night

Battered and afraid she wouldn’t survive another fight

Her husband said I’m sorry as his hand held the knife

She swore it’s the last time he threaten her life

She said..You’re not better than me

Why did it take me so long to see

Her favorite photograph torn and scattered on the floor

Smiling faces trying to hide their private war

She packed a bag to leave and find a safer place to go

On the kitchen table she left him a note

It said..You’re not better than me

Why did it take me so long to see

She learned to cry without making a sound

Pretending to be happy when her little boys around

But he can see the pain his daddy left behind

The kind that won’t fade from her body and her mind

Hands are not for hurting,

She teaches her son

She says...when you grow into a man,

Don’t hurt the ones you love

She tried to take her little boy far away from home

Violence is all they had known

Her son he said I’m sorry as his hand held the gun

He swore it’s the last time his momma will have to run

He said..You’re not better than me

Why did it take me so long to see

I‘m not a victim, I have dignity

You’re not better than me

You’re not better than me

You’re not better than me

© 2008 Ellen Bukstel / All Rights Reserved