Dan & Faith Tell a Human Story of Migration in Poignant Folk Ballad “Se Llama Juanita”

In their moving new single “Se Llama Juanita,” Charlestown-based folk duo Dan & Faith offer a beautifully crafted story that humanizes the realities of immigration. Known for their narrative-driven and dream-inspired songwriting, the husband-and-wife team adds another powerful entry to their catalog with this standout track from their latest album, Who We Are.

“Se Llama Juanita” tells the story of a young girl crossing the border, navigating the complex and often dehumanizing systems that surround immigration in the United States. Through gentle vocals, intricate acoustic guitar work, and heartfelt lyrics, the duo paints a picture that is deeply personal and emotionally resonant. This is not a protest anthem in the traditional sense; it is a quiet, compassionate call to empathy.

What makes the song so effective is its sincerity. Dan & Faith do not rely on sensationalism or politics. Instead, they invite listeners into Juanita’s story, asking them to feel what she feels and see the world through her eyes. It is a subtle but powerful approach that underscores the importance of storytelling in today’s cultural landscape.

The production is clean and intimate, thanks to the help of folk artist Joe Jencks and engineer Mark Dann. The track was also mastered by Grammy winner Charlie Pilzer, resulting in a polished sound that retains its warmth.

“Se Llama Juanita” is more than a song; it is a reflection of Dan & Faith’s values and belief in the power of music to inspire understanding.

Released during a time when conversations around immigration remain tense and politically charged, this song serves as a timely reminder of the people at the heart of the issue.

With grace and compassion, Dan & Faith use their voices to amplify those who are too often unheard. The result is a folk ballad that stays with you long after the final chord.

What inspired the story behind “Se Llama Juanita,” and how did it come to life?

Migrants come to our southern border seeking safety. They come seeking asylum as their home countries are unsafe. Their countries are unsafe because of the actions over many years by the United States. Our country has a history of intervening in other nations for the benefit of our corporations’ interests, be that oil or bananas.

We bristle at the term "illegals" and people claiming these asylum seekers are coming here illegally. To seek asylum in a country, one must set foot on that country’s soil. Fleeing a dangerous country is an act of bravery. Stepping on US soil, finding a border agent, and requesting asylum is legal. Every person coming to us deserves to have their story heard.

Dan’s forbears came to the US from eastern Europe, escaping persecution in the 1880s. They faced further discrimination upon arrival, but built lives here. The words of Emma Lazarus etched into the Statue of Liberty are not just words. They’re a promise. Shutting the door to that past is not an option. 

Why was it essential for you to tell this story through music rather than another medium?

As folk singers, we tell our stories through music. We tell stories from a personal perspective or the story of a person as a parable for an issue, rather than preaching. The path into the heart of a listener is most effective through the story of an individual.

Joe Jencks has a wonderful song, Lady Of The Harbor, that chronicles his own family history, why they came, and tugs at the heart strings with the imagery of turning our backs on Lady Liberty as we as a country harden our hearts and turn people away.

How did your collaboration with Joe Jencks and Charlie Pilzer shape the sound of this track?

In the liner notes for this song, we gave Joe Jencks co-write credit. While Dan had the story and structure of the song, Joe helped craft the final version of the bridge, and replacement of a final chorus with the Spanish phrase Dan was trying to figure out how to integrate. These insights were key to completing the song with the impact it has.

Charlie Pilzer mastered the album, applying his magic to the entire album. We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention Mark Dann, our mixing engineer wizard, who brought together the elements of each song with care and skill.

What reactions have you received from immigrant communities or listeners who relate to Juanita’s story?

We find the most common reaction is a comment that this song is very timely, especially with the ICE raids across the country. Mixed into this response is a sadness that the song is indeed so needed in this time.

How do you hope this song contributes to broader conversations around immigration and empathy?

We hope that it opens people’s eyes to the reasons why folks come to the US southern border, and the US government’s role in creating the political instability in Central America that pushes people out of their home countries. The folks coming to the US border and asking for asylum aren’t here to cause trouble; they just want to live their lives without constantly worrying about their personal safety. By presenting the listener with a person and their story, perhaps the listener will see these immigrants as fellow human beings worthy of living in this country, and consider helping them instead of turning them over to ICE.