Written by Liz Bullock as part of Roots of American Music’s “Hough is My Home” series, a songwriting collaboration between ROAM teaching artists/musicians and senior adults who regularly attend the Fatima Family Center in Cleveland’s Hough community. Liz collaborated with Dianna Frizzell, a retired nurse of 38 years who still lives in the house in which she grew up. She is the proud mother of two and grandmother of two. Dianna had a wonderful childhood growing up in the Hough neighborhood, and fondly remembers gardening and making wine with her father. Embracing her African heritage is something that was emphasized by her father and she still embraces it in all aspects of her life today. Dianna has traveled extensively including to Africa, Cabo, Brussels, Italy and France. She is proud that she was able to achieve her life dreams of becoming a nurse and traveling the world.
Take My Roots With Me”
I’ve had my dream since I was 13
Became a nurse and I know what it means to respect life
Because we all bleed red
My father taught us to know our roots
I’ve embraced my African heritage since my youth
I take it with me everywhere I go
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I’ve been helping people my whole life
I know my roots, yes I take pride in my story
And this one is mine
From the garden my father made wine
We’d stomp the grapes fresh from the vine
It was a wonderful time when I was a child
My parents met here, both from other states
Bought this house when I was 5 and I still live here today
New things popping up all the time
This house has seen so much
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My 2 children, I hold them close
They’ve had my grandchildren who I love the most
Carrying our heritage on into the world
I went to Africa for 21 days
I cried when I got there and when I went away
I’ve been blessed to do what I want with my life
Traveled the world with my friends by my side
No matter where I go, my dreams are coming home
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