- Find and listen to a song from the Civil Rights Movement.
- Post the lyrics.
- Explain the meaning of the song (at least 2 paragraphs).
Monday, May 9, 2011
Homework- 5/12/11
Civil Rights Music
- Find and listen to a song from the Civil Rights Movement.
- Post the lyrics.
- Explain the meaning of the song (at least 2 paragraphs).
- Find and listen to a song from the Civil Rights Movement.
- Post the lyrics.
- Explain the meaning of the song (at least 2 paragraphs).
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Oh Freedom
ReplyDeleteBy: Harry Belafonte
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
No more mourning, no more mourning, no more mourning over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
No more crying, no more crying, no more crying over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be singin', there'll be singin', there'll be singin' over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
1. the meaning or message of the song is that freedom will not be reach because of all of the harsh treatment the slaves got. so the song writer grather go to heaven and not be a slave, which he knows in heave he will have real freedom. This song altells how fom a movement the slaves got inspired to write songs that described their suffering as slaves.
Luis Amesquita
Woke Up This Morning
ReplyDeleteWoke up this morning with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Woke up this morning with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Woke up this morning with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.
I'm walking and talking with my mind
stayed on freedom
I'm walking and talking with my mind
stayed on freedom
I'm walking and talking with my mind
stayed on freedom
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.
Ain't nothing wrong with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Oh, there ain't nothing wrong with keeping my mind
Stayed on freedom
There ain't nothing wrong with keeping your mind
Stayed on freedom
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.
I'm singing and praying with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Yeah, I'm singing and praying with my mind
Stayed on freedom
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.
Most songs during the civil rights movement had a religious connection considering that most movements/protests were led by church leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. himself . This song is just one example of the many "Freedom Songs" sang during this time period . The purpose of this lyrical soul was to provide protesters with the strength to stand up for justice .
The song Woke Up This Morning was sung as a way to protest and to send the message that they had their mind set on freedom and that there wasnt anything wrong with doing so . It also shows the religious aspect of this whole movement by reading "I'm singing and praying with my mind set on freedom .... Hallelujah"
Michelle Velez
Pd 05
Oh Freedom-Harry Belafonte
ReplyDeleteOh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free No more mourning, no more mourning, no more mourning over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free No more crying, no more crying, no more crying over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free There'll be singin', there'll be singin', there'll be singin' over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
This civil rights movement song is called “Oh Freedom” by Harry Belafonte. The speaker is of the song is saying that before he can be a slave, he rather be buried in his grave. He rather be dead than be a slave. He wants to go home to his Lord and be free. It always says “no more mourning over me”, and “no more crying over me”. He is expressing his feelings about slavery, and how he wants to be free more than ever.
All he wants is freedom, and if he isn’t free he rather be buried in his grave. This represents slavery and how people tried to avoid it. Slavery would lead to a slow, inevitable death. The overall meaning of this song is about someone who wants freedom, and if he can not be free he wants to be dead.
~Purna Talukder period 5
Oh Freedom-Harry Belafonte
ReplyDeleteOh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
No more mourning, no more mourning, no more mourning over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
No more crying, no more crying, no more crying over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be singin', there'll be singin', there'll be singin' over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
This civil rights movement song is called “Oh Freedom” by Harry Belafonte. The speaker is of the song is saying that before he can be a slave, he rather be buried in his grave. He rather be dead than be a slave. He wants to go home to his Lord and be free. It always says “no more mourning over me”, and “no more crying over me”. He is expressing his feelings about slavery, and how he wants to be free more than ever.
All he wants is freedom, and if he isn’t free he rather be buried in his grave. This represents slavery and how people tried to avoid it. Slavery would lead to a slow, inevitable death. The overall meaning of this song is about someone who wants freedom, and if he can not be free he wants to be dead.
~Purna Talukder period 5
Nigel.N
ReplyDeleteI LISTENED TO I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) by Nina Simone this song represents the civil rights movement from the title of the song throughout the song Nina Simone speaks about the why everyman should be free and the bars that are holding her and her people. Nina Simone put years of African american struggles into a 3 minute song. Nina Simone also in the song talks about all the things she wishes will happen from the outcome of the Civil Rights movement.
LYRICS
I wish I knew how
It would feel to be free
I wish I could break
All the chains holding me
I wish I could say
All the things that I should say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole round world to hear
I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars
That keep us apart
I wish you could know
What it means to be me
Then you'd see and agree
That every man should be free
I wish I could give
All I'm longin' to give
I wish I could live
Like I'm longin' to live
I wish I could do
All the things that I can do
And though I'mæ Š¦ way over due
I'd抎 be starting a new
Well I wish I could be
Like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be
If I found I could fly
Oh I'd抎 soar to the sun
And look down at the sea
Than I'd sing cos I know - yea
Then I'd sing cos I know - yea
Then I'd sing cos I know
I'd抎 know how it feels
Oh I抎 know how it feels to be free
Yea Yea! Oh, I抎 know how it feels
Yes I抎 know
Oh, I抎 know
How it feels
How it feels
To be free
e
"We Shall Overcome"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYeqe3LewE We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
ReplyDeleteWe shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
The Lord will see us through, The Lord will see us through,
The Lord will see us through someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
We're on to victory, We're on to victory,
We're on to victory someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We're on to victory someday.
We'll walk hand in hand, we'll walk hand in hand,
We'll walk hand in hand someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We'll walk hand in hand someday.
We are not afraid, we are not afraid,
We are not afraid today;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We are not afraid today.
The truth shall make us free, the truth shall make us free,
The truth shall make us free someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
The truth shall make us free someday.
We shall live in peace, we shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall live in peace someday.
The song derived from many African Americans during the civil rights movements basically is a justification for equality. Desperation for the struggle against racism. In the song, someday peace in belief will come in sync. The aspects of actually overcoming the racism, harsh society hatred and malice for equivocating peace shatters the bounds. This song revolutionized the movements progressions. Through the aggressions,depressions, refuting and shootings, the realism of these words is made in faith. To shatter any feelings held back, is to illuminate the darkness of crooked picture.
The African Americans were abused, misused, and deluded by the supremacy opposing them. The song meant that even if the set of African Americans singing this song were to not reach freedom, the legacy will. One day, envisions of sought out peace will come. And it has came, the meaning of this song was that the movement will not stop. The basic reality of this song is that everybody is equal. Nobody deserves brutality, violence. Only tranquil peace and life, no racism, equality.
-Jeremy Torres
"This Little Light of Mine"
ReplyDeleteChorus:
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Light that shines is the light of love,
Hides the darkness from above,
Shines on me and it shines on you,
Shows you what the power of love can do.
Shine my light both bright and clear,
Shine my light both far and near,
In every dark corner that I find,
Let my little light shine.
(Chorus)
Monday gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above,
Wednesday told me to have more faith,
Thursday gave me a little more grace,
Friday told me to watch and pray,
Saturday told me just what to say,
Sunday gave me the power divine
To let my little light shine.
(Chorus twice)
Shine, shine, shine, shine, shine.
This song became an anthem during the Civil Rights Movment era. African-Americans sang this as one of the songs while going on strikes, and long walks. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine" is a metaphor for the equal rights of the people. The power of speaking your mind, fighting for freedom. This Little light of mine, meaning the person's will to find a better "way".
By letting "it" shine, using it to the best of the persons ability. Making the difference, no matter the darkness that surrounds or how little the impact may be. Everyday of the week was said because they used the best abilty in the battle for triumph. The Civil Rights movement was a struggle that took a bit of time to overcome.
-Karina Lara pd 5
Mother, mother
ReplyDeleteThere's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya
Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
What's going on - Marvin Gaye
This song is a great explain of the civil rights because Marvin Gaye talks about people boycotting and protesting. He also refers to the officer beating African Americans. He also talks about bringing peace to the world, and not to be violence. The song is called what’s going on, so he could be asking his listeners almost what the point is and like what’s happening to the world. In the song he talks about how too many people are dying and this goes back to the civil rights because many blacks were being hung and killed by many whites.
The reason this song is a good song to stand for the civil rights movement is because Marvin Gaye tells exactly what is taking place and how it should be solved. He talks about the protesting and beatings and how it should be solved by love not “war”, violence. The song also can seem as a song of inspiration to African Americans because Marvin Gaye is relating to their struggle because he is also of the same ethnic group as his audience.
- Jazmine Hamlet
till earth and heaven ring,
ReplyDeleteRing with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the
dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
bitter the chastening rod,
felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
yet with a steady beat,
have not our weary feet
come to the place
for which our fathers died?
We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
out from the gloomy past,
till now we stand at last
where the white gleam
of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,
keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;
lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee,
shadowed beneath thy hand,
may we forever stand,
true to our God,
true to our native land.
this song is the african- american anthem. it is the inspiration which gives them to march. this song means that how no matter what happenes we have to fight for it. he also says about god which means that god doesnt favor the whites he loves us all and we are equeal. so we have to fight for what we belive in. Suraya Krishnan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4js5Ybd0E8&playnext=1&list=PL7C2F138CCAF8E717
ReplyDelete"If You Miss Me from the Back of the Bus"
BY: Charles Neblett
If you miss me from the back of the bus
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to the front of the bus
I'll be riding up there
I'll be riding up there
I'll be riding up there
Come on over to the front of the bus
I'll be riding up there
If you miss me from Jackson State
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to Ole Miss
I'll be studying over there
I'll be studying over there
I'll be studying over there
Come on over to Ole Miss
I'll be studying over there
If you miss me from the cotton fields
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to the courthouse
I'll be voting right there
I'll be voting right there
I'll be voting right there
Come on over to the courthouse
I'll be voting right there
If you miss me from the Thrifty Drug Store
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to Woolworth's
'Cause I'll be sitting there
'Cause I'll be sitting there
'Cause I'll be sitting there
Come on over to Woolworth's
'Cause I'll be sitting there
If you miss me from the picket line
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to jailhouse
I'll be rooming down there
I'll be rooming down there
I'll be rooming down there
Come on over to jailhouse
I'll be rooming down there
If you miss me from the Mississippi River
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on over to the city pool
I'll be swimming in there
I'll be swimming in there
I'll be swimming in there
Come on over to the city pool
I'll be swimming in there
If you miss me from the front of the bus
And you can't find me nowhere
Come on up to the driver's seat
I'll be driving up there
I'll be driving up there
I'll be driving up there
Come on up to the driver's seat
I'll be driving up there
---------------------------------------
This song is explaining how back then people were segregated and had no rights as others such as the Whites. Blacks had to sit on the back of the bus , never the front because it supposedly were for Whites only. They worked in cottonfields all day, had their own schools , and also weren't able to vote.
This song is saying that all people are equal. What the Blacks couldnt do before , they will do now. For example, the front of the bus was only for Whites but now the song is saying, Blacks will be riding on the bus in the front so dont be expecting them to be seen in the back only. This song represents how the people are standing up for their rights as well as showing they can make it and earn their rights.
- HANNAH LEE :]
1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHmUPqI6w9g
ReplyDelete2) Lyrics:
Oh Freedom” by Lucy Kinchen Chorale
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
No more moaning, no more moaning, no more moaning over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
No more crying, no more crying, no more crying over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be singin', there'll be singin', there'll be singin' over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be glory, there'll be glory, there'll glory over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in my grave And go home to my Lord and be free
3) The lyrics of "Oh Freedom" are empowered and repetitive, making it an easy song to remember and with which to sing along. Each verse repeats "Before I'll be a slave, I'd be buried in my grave / And go home to my Lord and be free." The opening line changes, though, and speaks of refusing to be anything but free.
The fourth verse contains the line "No more tommin," where the word tommin denotes to black men's extreme submissiveness towards a white person or white people.
-Priscilia Phang (5th period)
I Shall Not Be Moved
ReplyDeleteby Johnny Cash written by Larry Stallings
Glory hallelujah I shall not be moved
Anchored in Jehovah I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
In His love abiding I shall not be moved
And in Him confiding I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
I shall not be I shall not be moved
I shall not be I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
The wall hell assail me I shall not be moved
Jesus will not fail me I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved
Though the tempest rages I shall not be moved
On the rock of ages I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
---------------------------------------------
This songs consists of a series of verses wherein a single line changes for each verse. This folk song style is typical probably because it makes the song easy to remember and even easier for a song leader to sing with a group of people. The verse of "I Shall Not Be Moved" repeat the song's title a number of times.
Also typical of many traditional folk songs, the lyrics have evolved through time to apply to the various causes about which the song has been sung. When the tune became an anthem of the labor movement, verses were adjusted to be appropriate to union organization. When the song was sung during the civil rights movement, verses were adjusted to reflect racial unity.
-Yichen
This little light of mine,
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Shine all over
[name of town]
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over
[name of town]
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over
[name of town]
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.
-This song reveals how people in the civil rights movement felt about their freedom. The "little light" was a sense of their freedom and they repeatedly said that they were gonna let it shine. Which meant that they were not afraid to gain and use their freedom because they deserved it as human beings.
-wayne caison
We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
ReplyDeleteWe shall overcome someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
The Lord will see us through, The Lord will see us through,
The Lord will see us through someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.
We're on to victory, We're on to victory,
We're on to victory someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We're on to victory someday.
We'll walk hand in hand, we'll walk hand in hand,
We'll walk hand in hand someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We'll walk hand in hand someday.
We are not afraid, we are not afraid,
We are not afraid today;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We are not afraid today.
The truth shall make us free, the truth shall make us free,
The truth shall make us free someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
The truth shall make us free someday.
We shall live in peace, we shall live in peace,
We shall live in peace someday;
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall live in peace someday.
The song "We Shall Overcome" by Charles Albert Tindley is a song about the struggles and hardships of being an African American. The song's lyrics mainly describe how African Americans are fighting the battle and are "overcoming" racism and discrimination.
The song speaks of being "on way to victory" and not fearing nothing. The song was mainly a gospel song often sang in churches. It instilled hope and determination within people.
Strange Fruit
ReplyDeleteSouthern trees bear strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.
Pastoral scene of the gallant South,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh!
Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.
The song marked a kind of turning point between the Jim crow and civil right eva. In the song one can hear the powerlessness and despair of an age when African Americans few legal rights and little political power; one can also hear the determination and resolve that led to a revolution in American race relations over the following decades.by reading the lyrics one can see victims who were fighting for their freedoms end up with. "Strange Fruit" is a song that sings to both a dark past and a brighter future.
"Strange Fruit" was also a protest song, a musical response—in equal parts sorrow and anger—to the barbaric practice of lynching,that horrific brand of racial terrorism used to reinforce white supremacy from the end of the civil war through the mid-twentieth century. The lynching remained a shockingly common and socially accepted practice; even powerful liberal president Franklin D. Roosevelt was unwilling to support the anti-launching bill in Congress, fearful that it would cost him too much political support in the South. --Angela Chen