Rhiannon Giddens spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the area in and around the town of Swannanoa, in her home state of North Carolina, as it recovers from the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene. She also talks about an earlier tragedy in the region—a 19th-century train tunnel collapse—that inspired the old work song "Swannanoa Tunnel," which she recorded with Silkroad Ensemble. "Why were we given the ability to sing and touch people?" Giddens asks. "And this is why: when you think about the destruction, there are no words, so a song can tap into something that then releases energy—now I can cry. That's what it's for, helping us all with the emotions that are bigger than we know what to do with."
Rhiannon Giddens spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the area in and around the town of Swannanoa, in her home state of North Carolina, as it recovers from the severe damage brought by Hurricane Helene. Giddens, originally from Greensboro, talks about the devastating event as well as an earlier tragedy in the region—a 19th-century train tunnel collapse—that inspired the old work song "Swannanoa Tunnel," written by wrongfully imprisoned Black men and women, who unwillingly risked their lives building the tunnel. Giddens and Silkroad Ensemble happened to release a new recording of the song just after the hurricane hit.
"The words just took on a whole new meaning," Giddens tells NPR. "This is a grieving song. It was a grieving song for these men who lost their lives, and it's now a grieving song for a whole other calamity ... That's what music is for. You don't want it to be like that, but we need to lean into our function. Why were we given the ability to sing and touch people? And this is why: when you think about the destruction, there are no words, so a song can tap into something that then releases energy—now I can cry. That's what it's for, helping us all with the emotions that are bigger than we know what to do with."
Some organizations Giddens has recommended to support those affected by Hurricane Helene include: Appalachian Funder's Network, BeLoved Asheville, World Central Kitchen, and Operation Airdrop.
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