MISSISSIPPI GODDAM 5TH APRIL 1968 On the 4th of April 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered. I remember it clearly. A concert by some of the most gifted and out-spoken young African American singers had already been scheduled for the next day and the organizers wisely chose not to cancel the concert. Some of the most passionate music direct from the soul was sung then, and we must be eternally and deeply grateful that it was recorded and preserved for posterity. It is an honour and a privilege to be in the presence of this deep and raw emotion expressing itself in song. A while back I posted another recording of this song; this is the definitive version. I am posting the lyrics as Ms. Simone sang them on 5th April 1968. I have not written all her comments interspersed with the lyrics; youll have to listen and catch those yourself. So, sit down or stand up, close your eyes and transport yourself back to that sad day in 1968...Let yourself hear, feel, understand and maybe grow up a little bit. Mississippi Goddam Alabamas gotten me so upset Tennessee made me lose my rest And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam Alabamas gotten me so upset Lurleen Wallace has made me lose my rest And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam Cant you see it Cant you feel it Its all in the air I cant stand the pressure much longer Somebody say a prayer Alabamas gotten me so upset Memphis has made me lose my rest And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam Hound dogs on my trail School children sitting in jail Black cat cross my path I think every days gonna be my last Lord have mercy on this land of mine We all gonna get it in due time I dont belong here I dont belong there Ive even stopped believing in prayer Dont tell me I tell you Me and my people just about due Ive been there so I know They keep on saying Go slow! But thats just the trouble do it slow Washing the windows do it slow Picking the cotton do it slow Youre just plain rotten do it slow Youre too damn lazy do it slow The thinkings crazy do it slow Where am I going What am I doing I dont know I dont know Just try to do my very best Stand up be counted with all the rest For everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam I aint bout to be non-violent, honey Picket lines School boy cots They try to say its a communist plot All I want is equality for my sister my brother my people and me Yes you lied to me all these years You told me to wash and clean my ears And talk real fine just like a lady And youd stop calling my Mama Aunt Sadie Oh but my whole country is full of lies Youre all gonna die and die like flies I dont trust you any more You keep on saying Go slow! Go slow! But thats just the trouble do it slow Desegregation do it slow Mass participation do it slow Reunification do it slow Do things gradually do it slow But bring more tragedy do it slow Why dont you see it Why dont you feel it I dont know I dont know You dont have to live next to me Just give me my equality Everybody knows about Mississippi Everybody knows about Alabama Everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam Thats it! https://youtube/watch?v=th2qraO0-P4
Posted on: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 06:56:54 +0000
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