1 Topic by Dirty Ed (edited by Dirty Ed 2021-01-18 01:25:27)

  • From: Chillicothe, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-08-16
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Topic: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14 year-old black man from Chicago was visiting relatives in Mississippi where he was brutally murdered for allegedly whistling at a white woman.  I tried to imagine what life was like for young black men in the south back in those days. His death was one of the events that drove the civil rights movement in the U.S.  I thought today would be a good time to post this song as Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday is January 18.
https://soundcloud.com/user-198880521/mississippi-1955

Mississippi 1955  Ken Willis


intro:


[Dm][Gm][C][Dm][C][Dm]


.




[Dm]If you're walking the streets [Gm]down in Mississippi


[C]Better have your [Dm]head bowed down[C] [Dm]


[Dm]And don't look or smile at them [Gm]pretty white women


[C]Keep your eyes staring [Dm]at the ground[C][Dm]


.




[C]Step aside and let the [Dm]white folks pass


"Yes [C]Sir", "Yes Ma'am" better [Dm]come from your mouth


[C]Always sit at the [Dm]back of the bus


[E]'Cause that's just the way [A]things are done down [Dm]South


.


[Dm][Gm][C][Dm][C][Dm]


.




[Dm]They said they found [Gm]Emmett Till's body



[C]In the Tallahatchie River, out-[Dm]side of town[C][Dm]


[Dm]Them good ol' boys said they [Gm]did it as a warning


[C]He'd been floatin' three days when the [Dm]body was found[C][Dm]


.


[C]Step aside and let the [Dm]white folks pass


"Yes [C]Sir", "Yes Ma'am" better [Dm]come from your mouth


[C]Always sit at the [Dm]back of the bus


[E]'Cause that's just the way [A]things are done down [Dm]South


.


[Dm][Gm][C][Dm][C][Dm]


(crescendo)


.


[C]Step aside and let the [Dm]white folks pass


"Yes [C]Sir", "Yes Ma'am" better [Dm]come from your mouth


[C]Always sit at the [Dm]back of the bus


[E]'Cause that's just the way [A]things are done down [Dm]South




[Dm][Gm][C][Dm][C][Dm][C][Dm][C] [Dm]


I want to read my own water, choose my own path, write my own songs

2 Reply by Peatle Jville (edited by Peatle Jville 2021-01-18 04:16:42)

  • Registered: 2015-07-31
  • Posts: 2,730

Re: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

Another great song Ken with a look  at the sad way people have treated each other. I hope things have improved since the time in history your song writes about.

3 Reply by ctech (edited by ctech 2021-01-18 20:49:48)

  • ctech
  • ctech
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  • From: Worthing.sussex.Great Britain
  • Registered: 2009-08-07
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Re: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

Great song echoing the times. I wanted to write one about the Murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom but found it to gruesome to contemplate. Plus I don't think anyone would care.

Hard times create strong men,Strong men create good times,Good times create weak men,Weak men create hard times.Cantwere rice INVICTA!

ctech's Website

  • From: The Land Of Song
  • Registered: 2007-12-10
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Re: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

You certainly know how to make a point. Almost spoken in a very tuneful way. It's hard to believe people can treat people in this way, and it still goes on....great song and observations.     

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

Phill Williams's Website

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  • Registered: 2010-05-11
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Re: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

Ken
Nice song.
Sorrowful topic

I teach my kids about it and it is no easy task

The woman that Emmet till supposedly whistled at - just about 4 or 5 years ago admitted he never did any such thing.
The mom insisted on the casket being an open casket so the whole world could see what they did to her son   - the whole world is still watching, but there is so much more that needs to be done to heal us.

Good stuff my friend

Jim     

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke
  • Registered: 2015-07-31
  • Posts: 2,730

Re: MISSISSIPPI 1955 - A song about racial inequality

Ken now I have heard you perform your song it is definitely up there with the folk songs that  need to be sung in order to keep people aware of injustice.