I dedicate this to the people of Tunisia and Egypt and Libya and Bahrain and all the others who have decided that the time to say "Enough!" is now.
Over a month and. although there has been a lot of news, nothing has come across my desk that fits my definition of weird. Not wanting to bore my readers (both of you) , I did come across this song by Malvina Reynolds, one of my favourites. She was a unusual enough to qualify as weird, I think. She looked like the dried-up sour self-righteous, conservative Church Lady biddy, but was in fact a fiery, outspoken, socially progressive singer/songwriter/poet whose songs are still widely sung. Her most well-known are God Bless The Grass and Little Boxes.
Today I share with you a little gem called It Isn't Nice. It's a weird sort of song. Catchy tune, too!
Over a month and. although there has been a lot of news, nothing has come across my desk that fits my definition of weird. Not wanting to bore my readers (both of you) , I did come across this song by Malvina Reynolds, one of my favourites. She was a unusual enough to qualify as weird, I think. She looked like the dried-up sour self-righteous, conservative Church Lady biddy, but was in fact a fiery, outspoken, socially progressive singer/songwriter/poet whose songs are still widely sung. Her most well-known are God Bless The Grass and Little Boxes.
Today I share with you a little gem called It Isn't Nice. It's a weird sort of song. Catchy tune, too!
It Isn't Nice
words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1964 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1993. This original version of the song was banned from the radio in Japan--in Japanese, but not in English!
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it,
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit in on the floor,
Or to shout our cry of Freedom
At the hotel and the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
We have tried negotiations
And the three-man picket line,1
Mr. Charlie2 didn't see us
And he might as well be blind.
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
How about those years of lynchings
And the shot in Evers' back?
Did you say it wasn't proper,
Did you stand upon the track?
You were quiet just like mice,
Now you say we aren't nice,
And if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
But thanks for your advice,
Cause if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1964 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1993. This original version of the song was banned from the radio in Japan--in Japanese, but not in English!
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it,
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit in on the floor,
Or to shout our cry of Freedom
At the hotel and the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
We have tried negotiations
And the three-man picket line,1
Mr. Charlie2 didn't see us
And he might as well be blind.
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
How about those years of lynchings
And the shot in Evers' back?
Did you say it wasn't proper,
Did you stand upon the track?
You were quiet just like mice,
Now you say we aren't nice,
And if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
But thanks for your advice,
Cause if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
Additional notes
1. This refers to an injunction limiting pickets to three. Nancy says she now sings "token picket line," as being less obscure and more gender-inclusive.
2. The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang defines "Charlie" as "white men regarded as oppressors of blacks.--used contemptuously. Also Mr. Charlie, Boss Charlie."
1. This refers to an injunction limiting pickets to three. Nancy says she now sings "token picket line," as being less obscure and more gender-inclusive.
2. The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang defines "Charlie" as "white men regarded as oppressors of blacks.--used contemptuously. Also Mr. Charlie, Boss Charlie."
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