Detroit Youth Choir Gives Tribute Cover Of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” For Victims Of Gun Violence

The Detroit Youth Choir did an emotional cover of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to honor victims of gun violence.

The song choice was inspired by the story of the 11-year-old victim, Layla Salazar, who was one of the 19 victims who lost their lives during the shooting at Robb Elementary school in Ulvade, Texas earlier this year. She and her father, Vinnie Salazar, listened to the Guns N’ Roses track together every morning when he drove her to school. His father wrote in a Facebook post the day after she was killed:

“Me and Layla would jam to this on the way to school, and it’s the only thing that’s bringing me peace right now.”

The video for Detroit Youth Choir’s cover of the GN’R song features photos of Layla, which were provided by her father. It also includes footage of young musicians singing the song in unison inside of a school and wearing matching T-shirts that list some of the names of cities where high-profile school shootings have occurred over the last several years.

Part of the song’s melody is sang in a cappella, and a few original rap verses were added throughout it as well. “This song asks a simple question — ‘Where do we go now?” The choir’s artistic director, Anthony T. White said in the description of the video:

“It can’t take 10 years to ask what’s next.

“This version of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ is a poignant call to action from today’s youth to all grown-ups to stay at the table, show respect to one another and continue to work together to find solutions to make our schools and communities safer from gun violence.”

You can watch the video below.