1 - Spend some time researching Governor Faubus and the Little Rock Crisis.
How do you think Mingus's composition reflects the mood of what was happening in America at the time?
Oh, Lord, don't let 'em shoot us!
Oh, Lord, don't let 'em stab us!
Oh, Lord, don't let 'em tar and feather us!
Oh, Lord, no more swastikas!
Oh, Lord, no more Ku Klux Klan!
Name me someone who's ridiculous, Dannie.
Governor Faubus!
Why is he so sick and ridiculous?
He won't permit integrated schools.
Then he's a fool! Boo! Nazi Fascist supremists!
Boo! Ku Klux Klan (with your Jim Crow plan)
Name me a handful that's ridiculous, Dannie Richmond.
Faubus, Rockefeller, Eisenhower
Why are they so sick and ridiculous?
Two, four, six, eight:
They brainwash and teach you hate.
H-E-L-L-O, Hello.
Orval E. Faubus was the governor of Arkansas in 1957 and against desegregation. He sent the National Guard to prevent black children from attending high school in Little Rock.
Do you think this lyrics make the message of the song more effective? If so, why? Can a composition still send a strong message without lyrics to explain it?In what ways are the artists approach to writing politically motivated music differ from that of Mingus?
Suggested structure:
- Twice through the melody
- 4 x through the form for solos and backings
- Twice through the melody to finish (think about playing in canon for the second time)
Suggested structure:
- Melody twice at the beginning
- Once through for solos with backings
- Melody once at the end - play the turnaround three times to finish.