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Please Don’t Turn Away – Credits

On 17th November 2021 I released the music video for “Please Don’t Turn Away”, a song I wrote inspired by the work of Jo-Anne McArthur, animal photojournalist and founder of We Animals Media.

I chose this particular date to celebrate the anniversary of the publication of HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene. On the same dayThe Sydney Sentinel published my article about this ground-breaking book.

The Please Don’t Turn Away music video features images from the We Animals Media stock photo library, which offers over 10,000 searchable images and video.In their words “We Animals Media brings visibility to hidden animals through compelling photo and videojournalism. As the world’s leading animal photojournalism agency, it is our mission to document the stories of animals in the human environment — those used for food, fashion, entertainment, and experimentation — and to connect those stories to the individuals and organizations who can amplify their reach.”

Due to the confronting nature of some of the images, YouTube is restricting viewing of the music video to people who are logged in using an account that identifies them as being over 18. However the audio is also available to stream for free on my Triple J Unearthed page. I also decided to include more ‘positive’ images towards the later parts of the song, to instil more of a positive and hopeful note by the end, encouraging viewers to help change things for the better and celebrating those who already are doing just that.

Below are all the credits for the song and music video.

You can donate to We Animals Media here.

Credits

Song

Composition (lyrics and melody): Elizabeth Usher

Vocals: MC Pony feat. Leafy Greens

Producers: Sven Tydeman, Tim G Carr, Elizabeth Usher

Mastering: Kathy Naunton, dB Mastering

Cover art graphic design: Kristin LaJeunesse

Cover art photograph: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

Music Video

Editor: Kristin LaJeunesse

Thank you also to Kristin for the initial photo selection.

Images (as matched to lyrics in video):

Intro

Don’t turn away
Things have got to change
Don’t turn away
Things have got to change

Pigs being transported to slaughter. Canada, 2012.
Pigs being transported to slaughter. Canada, 2012.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / The Ghosts In Our Machine / We Animals Media
Broiler chickens in transport to slaughter. Nepal, 2017.
Broiler chickens in transport to slaughter. Nepal, 2017.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
A dairy farm.
A dairy farm.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Sheep arriving at the sale yards. Australia, 2013.
Sheep arriving at the sale yards. Australia, 2013.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Ducks going to slaughter. Taiwan, 2019.
Ducks going to slaughter. Taiwan, 2019.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Pig slaughterhouse. Canada, 2011.
Pig slaughterhouse. Canada, 2011.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Cows hanging by hind legs at a slaughterhouse. Turkey, 2018.
Cows hanging by hind legs at a slaughterhouse. Turkey, 2018.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Rabbit slaughterhouse. Spain, 2013.
Rabbit slaughterhouse. Spain, 2013.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
Silver Fox In A Cage At A Fur Farm In Quebec
Silver Fox In A Cage At A Fur Farm In Quebec
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / #MakeFurHistory / We Animals Media
A purpose bred beagle at a veterinary school. Spain, 2010.
A purpose bred beagle at a veterinary school. Spain, 2010.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
Kiska, a lone orca, being watched by tourists and visitors at Marineland
Kiska, a lone orca, being watched by tourists and visitors at Marineland
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
Kittens for sale at a street market. Vietnam, 2008.
Kittens for sale at a street market. Vietnam, 2008.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Whole chickens are hooked and hung through their nostrils on display for sale at a Taipei wet market.
Whole chickens are hooked and hung through their nostrils on display for sale at a Taipei wet market.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Cattle in transport.
Cattle in transport.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals for The Guardian / We Animals Media
A fish tied for carrying at a market. Laos, 2008.
A fish tied for carrying at a market. Laos, 2008.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Pigs being transported to slaughter. Canada, 2012.

Verse 1

Are we even seen…
and without disbelief
Is the horror perceived, will our trauma be grieved
Our torturous story of pain and disease
We’re lame, mutilated, packed like sardines
(A phrase that reduces these sentient beings
To a pithy cliché devoid of feelings)
But worst of all in this calamitous scene
Most of our treatment is legal, routine
A nightmare ordeal with no chance of reprieve
It’s time that the message at last be received
A life such as ours should never have been.
A life such as ours should never have been.

Pigs crowd together behind bars inside a Finnish factory farm.
Pigs crowd together behind bars inside a Finnish factory farm.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Oikeutta Elaimille / We Animals Media
Young Broiler Chicks At A Factory Farm In Mexico.
Young Broiler Chicks At A Factory Farm In Mexico
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
Farmers pull newborn calf from mother dairy cow.
Farmers pull newborn calf from mother dairy cow.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
A recently separated calf waits in a wheelbarrow as a farmer prepares her solitary crate.
A recently separated calf waits in a wheelbarrow as a farmer prepares her solitary crate.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
Cows with full udders are corralled into the milking barn to be hooked up to machines.
Cows with full udders are corralled into the milking barn to be hooked up to machines.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
A dying cow. Taiwan.
A dying cow. Taiwan.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Animal Equality / We Animals Media
An open, festering wound in place of a possibly cannibalized ear.
An open, festering wound in place of a possibly cannibalized ear.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Essere Animali / We Animals Media
Piglets crowd one another in filth in an Italian factory farm.
Piglets crowd one another in filth in an Italian factory farm.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Essere Animali / We Animals Media
Barramundi in tanks at a fish farm in South Australia.
Barramundi in tanks at a fish farm in South Australia.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Fish market. Israel, 2018.
Fish market. Israel, 2018.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
A dying fish in a net at Scadding Court fishing day.
A dying fish in a net at Scadding Court fishing day.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Close-up of fish on display at a market in Jerusalem.
Close-up of fish on display at a market in Jerusalem.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
A commercial fishing boat. Mauritius, 2009.
A commercial fishing boat. Mauritius, 2009.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Sea Shepherd / We Animals Media
Fish heads on display for sale at a fish market in Taiwan.
Fish heads on display for sale at a fish market in Taiwan.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
A broiler chicken unable to stand.
A broiler chicken unable to stand.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
PDTA_cows_feedlot_enclosure
PDTA_cow_closeup_feedlot
Quarantine yards. Israel, 2018.
PDTA_cow_skull
PDTA_chickens_broiler_industrial
PDTA_chickens_broiler_industrial2
PDTA_chicken_broiler_industrial
Chickens being slaughtered.
Pigs at a family-run organic farm.
PDTA_sheep_transport_truck
PDTA_cow_transport_truck
Rabbits bleeding out and dying before being skinned and dismembered at the slaughterhouse.
Pigs crowd together behind bars inside a Finnish factory farm.

Chorus

Please don’t turn away
Or things will never change
Don’t deny our fate
Oh Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away

Hamadryas baboon at a zoo in Lithuania, 2016.
Hamadryas baboon at a zoo in Lithuania, 2016.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Brown bear at a zoo in Lithuania, 2016.
Brown bear at a zoo in Lithuania, 2016.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Asian elephant at a zoo in Slovenia, 2016.
Asian elephant at a zoo in Slovenia, 2016.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Giraffe at a zoo in Latvia, 2016.
Giraffe at a zoo in Latvia, 2016.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Leopard looking out from chain link fence at a zoo in France.
Leopard looking out from chain link fence at a zoo in France.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Visitor with a white dog on a leash, watches a lynx at a zoo in France, 2016.
Visitor with a white dog on a leash, watches a lynx at a zoo in France, 2016.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Kangaroo
Kangaroo
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
White tigers look out over edge of wall at a zoo in France.
White tigers look out over edge of wall at a zoo in France.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Chimpanzee at a zoo in Germany.
Chimpanzee at a zoo in Germany.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Sheep, being transported.
Sheep, being transported.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Israel Against Live Shipments / We Animals Media
African elephant at a zoo in Denmark.
African elephant at a zoo in Denmark.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Born Free Foundation / We Animals Media
Hamadryas baboon at a zoo in Lithuania, 2016.

Verse 2

The laws have failed us, hidden and veiled us
Hateful betrayal is how they’ve repaid us
A brave few remain unafraid
To lay bare the tale of our pitiful status
Do you dare to witness the way they’ve displayed us?
Avow and attest how our captors have jailed us
To come face to face, brave our gaze
Admit and acknowledge what plagues our days
Will you shine a light or bring back the shade
Will you shine a light or bring back the shade

Sows and their litters nursing between the bars of rows of gestation crates.
Sows and their litters nursing between the bars of rows of gestation crates.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Essere Animali / We Animals Media
A sow lies wedged between the bars of a gestation crate
A sow lies wedged between the bars of a gestation crate
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Essere Animali / We Animals Media
Young pig at an industrial farm.
Young pig at an industrial farm.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals for The Guardian / We Animals Media
A pig at an industrial farm.
A pig at an industrial farm.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals for The Guardian / We Animals Media
A Rescued Pig At Edgar's Mission
Pam Ahern With Max, A Rescued Pig At Edgar's Mission
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Rescued Sheep
Piia Anttonen With Rescued Sheep
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / The Unbound Project / We Animals Media
A Rescued Hen At Frie Vinger Sanctuary In Denmark
Lina Lind Christensen Holding A Rescued Hen At Frie Vinger Sanctuary In Denmark
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Hens packed into cages at a factory farm. Australia, 2013.
Hens packed into cages at a factory farm. Australia, 2013.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Rows of chickens hung by feet at a slaughterhouse. Taiwan, 2019.
Rows of chickens hung by feet at a slaughterhouse. Taiwan, 2019.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Hens in battery cages on a factory farm
Hens in battery cages on a factory farm
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Friends at Tuulispaa. Finland, 2015.
Friends at Tuulispaa. Finland, 2015.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Rescued Rooster At Farm Sanctuary In California
Rescued Rooster At Farm Sanctuary In California
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Several cows in a crowded feedlot. Israel, 2018.
Several cows in a crowded feedlot. Israel, 2018.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Israel Against Live Shipments / We Animals Media
A sheep dog and sheep. Australia, 2017.
A sheep dog and sheep. Australia, 2017.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Animal activism march
Animal activism march
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Rescued animals at Farm Sanctuary
Visitors enjoying time with rescued animals at Farm Sanctuary's annual summer festival.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Sows and their litters nursing between the bars of rows of gestation crates.

Chorus

Please don’t turn away
Or things will never change
Don’t deny our fate
Oh Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away

Dog at Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre in Nepal.
Dog pokes his nose out of enclosure at Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre in Nepal.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Michael Bernard with a dog from the local community.
Michael Bernard with a dog from the local community, brought in during a spay-neuter clinic.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Humane Society International / We Animals Media
Spaniel puppy on display in a pet store window in Paris.
Spaniel puppy on display in a pet store window in Paris.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / One Voice / We Animals Media
Spaniel puppy on display in a pet store window in Paris.
Spaniel puppy on display in a pet store window in Paris.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / One Voice / We Animals Media
Locked up and for sale at Bird Alley.
Locked up and for sale at Bird Alley.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
For sale at Bird Alley.
For sale at Bird Alley.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Dead bird, scooped up at the public beach
A US Coast Guard walks along the beach with a dead bird, scooped up at the public beach.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
A wallaby at Southern Cross Wildlife Care.
A wallaby with a severe skin condition is treated at Southern Cross Wildlife Care.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
The bullfight.
The bullfight.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
The slaughterhouse at the bullfighting arena.
The slaughterhouse at the bullfighting arena.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Intensive goat farming. Taiwan, 2019.
Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media
Dog at Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre in Nepal.

Bridge Part 1

We are the invisibles
Our treatment’s unforgivable
And yet somehow permissible
Since we are the invisibles
We are the invisibles
Our treatment’s unforgivable
And yet somehow permissible
Since we are the invisibles

Bridge Part 2 (Intro reprise)

Don’t turn away
Things have got to change
Don’t turn away
Things have got to change

Repeated extended chorus

Please don’t turn away
Or things will never change
Don’t deny our fate
Oh Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Or things will never change
Don’t deny our fate
Oh Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Please don’t turn away
Don’t turn away

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Why would I be creating another vegan blog when there are so many awesome ones already? Because there can never be too many efforts to inspire and encourage others to explore and embrace veganism - ie, to get Veganthusiastic!
who is MC Pony?
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