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Box of Letters

by Alfa

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about

In 1991, singer-songwriter Alfa Garcia immigrated to the U.S. with her mom, grandparents, and sister, leaving behind her home in the Philippines. Her father spent years waiting to join his family in the U.S., but ultimately decided not to reunite with his daughters, creating a chain of events that eventually led to Alfa's song, "Box of Letters." At once heartbreaking and evocative, Alfa's stripped-down tale of her father's absence is illustrated by an overflowing box of letters from halfway round the world, each one containing a dollar bill for good luck. Alfa weaves the tale of her past into her present as an American, and she ultimately sides with hope despite the pain of abandonment. Songwriter and PBS host Eric Gnezda calls Alfa, "authentic," and "wise beyond her years," and "Box of Letters" illustrates where her songwriting truly shines - in her unrelenting efforts to speak truth in words and melody.

lyrics

"Box of Letters"

box of letters in the drawer
can't contain itself no more
with every cycle round the sun
happy birthday to his little one
he left a dollar in a Hallmark
wished her all the best of luck
half a world away was too far
to be the one to raise her up
----
she grew up breaking every heart
knew the end before the start
cuz who on earth would ever stay
when she’s so weary from the wait?
she sent him back his lucky dollars
and no one ever saw her cry
strong girls do not need a father
she wanted to believe his lie
----
Ooooh... ooooh... ooooh...oooh.
----
box of letters in the drawer
she doesn't need you anymore
cardboard sides are worn and peeling
and promises have lost their meaning
she's gonna go off and get married
no one will walk her down the aisle
she'll build herself a happy ending
she'll find a way to say goodbye
but she'll build herself a happy ending

she'll find a way to say goodbye

credits

released December 5, 2019
Written by Alfa Garcia.
Produced by Alfa Garcia.
Vocals, guitar, pads, by Alfa Garcia.
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Kenji Nakai, Sonic Lodge Studios (Los Angeles, CA).

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Alfa Los Angeles, California

Armed with a voice, an instrument, and a keen sense of crafting a song, Alfa has been hailed as "an artist who has a spectrum of colors in her palette, a songwriter with a knack for tickling a mainstream ear" (Music Connection) Her songs have been heard on E!, MTV, nationally-released films and Spotify Philippines' Viral Top 50 in 2016. Alfa has opened for Sam Smith, Us the Duo, and Howie Day. ... more

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