PJ Harvey released the song, “Shaker Aamer,” in 2013 to highlight the ongoing detention of the last British resident held inside the US prison at Guantánamo Bay. Harvey recorded the track to help maintain pressure to have Shaker, whose family live in south London, released back to Britain.
Lyrics
No water for three days.
I cannot sleep, or stay awake.
Four months hunger strike.
Am I dead, or am I alive?
With metal tubes we are force fed.
I honestly wish I was dead.
Strapped in the restraining chair.
Shaker Aamer, your friend.
In Camp 5, eleven years.
Never charged. Six years cleared.
They took away my one note pad,
and then refused to give it back.
I can’t think straight, I write, then stop.
Your friend Shaker Aamer. Lost.
The guards just do what they’re told,
the doctors just do what they’re told.
Like an old car I’m rusting away.
Your friend, Shaker. Guantanamo Bay.
Don’t forget.
