joyce ford
Louie Armstrong would have loved this, and so do I! Buy this; share this; and please cast your vote for peace!
"Cosmic humor, especially about your own predicament, is an important part of your journey." Ram Dass
50 years passed, King dreamed Free at Last
Now comes a chump, a card---the Trump
What did we do to be so Black-and-Blue?
We tilled the soil and picked your fields
We built your cars and milled the steel
All my life through I've been so Black and Blue
We danced and sang, enriched your lives
We've earned our place despite our race
We've paid in full
our dues
We may be Black...
but we don't deserve the Blues!
Solo
Our voices must be heard
and at the least respected
This is our land too;
Black lives must be protected
Now that all the heavy lifting's done you just wish that we were gone
What did we do to feel so Black and Blue?
We fought in wars
defended rights
we were never given
After all we've done-- to make things better
we're just barely livin'
Alike inside we are but all you see is race
Would we be friends if I had another face?
We must stay strong-and get along to build a better land....
and never give the power to one solitary man!
Now in a race-- to be our president
He said for many years--
Obama is no resident
Cast your vote --or fear the boat,
it won't be a luxury cruise-- That worked before
but never more, it's not what we would choose
Bridge-trasition
What did we do to be so Black and Blue?
How will it end? He's not our friend
Our only sin is in our skin,
it's all up to you-- Go out and vote
or be forever-- Black and Blue
It's up to you, it's up to you
Don't let our kids be Black and Blue
Please tell me what did they do
To be so Black and Blue?
What did we do
to be so Black and Blue?
What did we do?
What did we do?
What did they do?
What What did we do?
What did we do?
Tell me what did we do
to be so Black and Blue?
What did we do?
50 years passed, King dreamed Free at Last
Now comes a chump, a card---the Trump
What did we do to be so Black-and-Blue?
We tilled the soil and picked your fields
We built your cars and milled the steel
All my life through I've been so Black and Blue
We danced and sang, enriched your lives
We've earned our place despite our race
We've paid in full
our dues
We may be Black...
but we don't deserve the Blues!
Solo
Our voices must be heard
and at the least respected
This is our land too;
Black lives must be protected
Now that all the heavy lifting's done you just wish that we were gone
What did we do to feel so Black and Blue?
We fought in wars
defended rights
we were never given
After all we've done-- to make things better
we're just barely livin'
Alike inside we are but all you see is race
Would we be friends if I had another face?
We must stay strong-and get along to build a better land....
and never give the power to one solitary man!
Now in a race-- to be our president
He said for many years--
Obama is no resident
Cast your vote --or fear the boat,
it won't be a luxury cruise-- That worked before
but never more, it's not what we would choose
Bridge-trasition
What did we do to be so Black and Blue?
How will it end? He's not our friend
Our only sin is in our skin,
it's all up to you-- Go out and vote
or be forever-- Black and Blue
It's up to you, it's up to you
Don't let our kids be Black and Blue
Please tell me what did they do
To be so Black and Blue?
What did we do
to be so Black and Blue?
What did we do?
What did we do?
What did they do?
What What did we do?
What did we do?
Tell me what did we do
to be so Black and Blue?
What did we do?
about
Mission:
The Big Funny Orchestra is a worldwide consortium of socially conscious activists, musicians and artists collaborating to focus attention on current issues and social injustice. By pooling their
collective talents and audiences to focus on the interests of marginalized groups, these artists aim to raise public awareness of humanitarian causes by initiating dialogue through their art and
conscientious activism.
To participate in this initiative, you may submit your musical accompaniment to any of our compositions you download.
This creative format encourages musicians to lend their artistic talents to any cause they have an affinity for. When each new Big Funny Orchestra composition is posted, artists are invited to submit their original musical accompaniment track.
Musicians whose accompaniments are posted online will receive artistic credit for their contribution
Big Funny Orchestra compositions are Basement II Basement Productions. At the close of each submission period, the most popular version of each instrumental arrangement (e.g. trumpet,
keyboards, sax, percussion, etc.) will be remixed and produced in studio with live vocals by The Big Funny and appropriate instrumental accompaniment, at our sole discretion. Every artist whose submission is selected to be reproduced must sign a notarized release and they will receive appropriate credit in the CD liner notes for their contribution.
______________________________________________________
Notes from the Lyricist:
In the 1930s and 40s Louis Armstrong frequently performed his iconic rendition of Black and Blue which was composed by Thomas 'Fats' Waller in 1929; with lyrics by Andy Razaf and Harry Brooks.
This melancholy song emotes the searing pain of racism and the helpless feeling of the sin of one's own skin.
The reprise of this classic song is performed by The Big Funny Orchestra with lyrics that are reflective of the current social climate in 2016 and out of concern for our children and the prospects of future generations.
B. Clay
credits
released November 4, 2016
Black and Blue (What Did We Do?) Reprise
The Big Funny Orchestrav
Vocals: Travis Simmons a.k.a. The Big Funny
Keyboards: Curtis 'The Seasoning' Seals
Congas: Telea Noriega
Musical Arrangement: Seals, Noriega and Gavin MacNeil
Reprised Lyrics: B. Clay
Post Production: Pixi Anderson
Cover Art: Pixilated Ink Promotions
Executive Producer: Travis Simmons
Associate Producers: Noriega and Seals
