about
Baltimore Goddam ( Adapated from Nina Simone's Mississippi Goddam
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This song adaption was written by Baltimore based singer/songwriter, producer and indie-soul artist - Navasha Daya in 2012.
Original lyrics and melody are from Mississippi Goddam written by Nina Simone.
Photo of Navasha Daya by Aisha Butler of Jazzy Studios. Photo of Nina Simone from The Estate of Nina Simone online photo archives.
Graphic Design for record cover created by: Azi Arts (Dirk Joseph)
I wrote this song in 2012 as a part of a tribute show for Nina Simone that was held in Baltimore, MD. I dedicate this song to the children and youth in Baltimore City and worldwide who live in disinvested communities; to youth who are angry, sad, scared, hungry, not listened to, murdered, neglected and want change for themselves and their families; to Youth Practitioners who tirelessly serve youth and the community; to those who want "Equal Rights & Justice" as Reggae legend Peter Tosh penned, and for all those who have risked their lives in the struggle to uplift humanity.... The Human Family must do better! Uhuru! Inkulluleko! Fahodi! Freedom!
In Grace & Peace,
Navasha Daya
hari bol!
lyrics
Baltimore Goddam
By Navasha Daya
Adapted from Mississippi Goddam which was written and performed by Nina Simone
Lyrics:
The name of this tune is Baltimore Goddam
And I mean every word of it
New York got me so upset
Ferguson makes me loose my rest
And everybody know about Baltimore Goddam
Florida got me so upset
Chicago makes me loose my rest
And everybody know about Baltimore Goddam
Can’t you see it
Can’t you feel it
It’s all in the air
I can’t stand the violence much longer
Somebody say a prayer
New York got me so upset
Ferguson makes me loose my rest
And Everybody know about Baltimore Goddam
“This is not a show tune,
this is real life
It’s all over the news, you may have seen it to”
Baltimore is more than “The Wire”
But the lack of equality makes me wanna holler
Mothers losing their children to violence
Fear from snitching has everyone silent
Lord have mercy on this land of mine
I pray the healing will happen in due time
It’s not safe here, it may be safe there
Fear blinds you somebody say a prayer
Don’t tell me, I’ll tell you
Reparations and atonement are over due
I live in this reality so I know
They keep on saying go slow
Waiting for progress – too slow
You’ll get yours in time – too slow
Why are you so angry - Too slow
We have a Black President - Too slow
The End of racism – too slow
You think I’m crazy – too slow
Where am I going
What am I doing
I don’t know
I don’t know
Just try to do your very best
Stand up be counted with all the rest
For, everybody knows about Baltimore Goddam
“I mean do we have to bring up the past, I mean haven’t you peopled healed from slavery and lynching, I mean that was such a long time ago…”
Oh, Look at me,
I’m a descendant of those who built this country for free
Oh we don’t want to acknowledge that,
So many promises made, but look at where were at…
Yes you lied to me all these years
Told me get my education and we would be peers
And speak the Queens English like a Fair lady
And you’d stop calling me Sister Pickaninny Sadie
Oh this whole country is full of lies
They will be revealed in due time
I don’t trust that you will help anymore
You keep on saying “Go slow!”
But that’s just the trouble – Too slow
5 acres and a mule – Too slow
Fair Education – Too slow
Women’s Rights – Too slow
Stop the Building of Prisons – Too slow
The end of violence – too slow
Why don’t you feel,
Why don’t you see it
I don’t know, I don’t know
We can live next to each other you see
And I claim my equality
Cause, every body knows about Ferguson
Every body know about New York
Every body knows about Baltimore Goddam
Daya World, LLC
2012
credits
released May 6, 2015
Baltimore Goddam lyrics adapted by Navasha Daya
Vocals - Navasha Daya
Guitar - Matthew Chaseas
Baltimore Goddam adapted from Nina Simone's Mississippi Goddam which was written, arranged and performed by Nina Simone
license
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