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Note to Teachers: The programs viewed in conjunction with these lesson plans may include references, consistent with the eras portrayed, to substance abuse, violent acts, and topics of a sexual and/or political nature. Because this may be considered inappropriate for classroom use in some communities, you are encouraged to review the programs before presenting them to your students, and if necessary, choose those sections that enhance your lesson and are acceptable for use in your classroom.
National Standards:
Materials
[Note: If you have completed Lesson 1 or Lesson 2 with your class, please skip to step 5.]
Extensions
Supplemental Materials:
VH1 Website: which includes links to videos, interviews, and a list of "Ten Essential James Brown Tracks" Television Station WGBH – Boston: This site has a link to view the 1968 James Brown Live at the Boston Garden concert in its entirety. Wikipedia ñ James Brown: A comprehensive biography and resource on James Brown with many links. Wikipedia ñ Strange Fruit : PBS Website : A good source of historically important protest music, and music that "served as catalysts for thought, action and even social change." iTunes: iTunes Essentials ñ Black History : A comprehensive collection of songs, highlighting music from "The Middle Passage Through the Depression," "The Civil Rights Struggle," and "Modern Times." Wikipedia ñ Protest Songs : Google Search : National Standards for Music Education
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Objectives
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These standards-based materials are provided through a partnership with MENC: The National Association for Music Education. This lesson plan was created by MENC member Kathryn E. Briggs, St. Mary's Academy, Portland, Oregon.
Lesson 3 Worksheet ñ Brief background information on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929, was a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. He entered Morehouse College at age 15, continuing his education at seminary, and eventually earning his doctorate at Boston University. As a Baptist minister, Reverend King preached for peaceful actions, demonstrations, and government lobbying to end segregation and racial discrimination. He championed the rights of African-Americans through civil obedience and non-violent means. His efforts led to several historic events in the civil rights movement, including the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his famous ìI Have a Dreamî speech. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work promoting civil rights. Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only 39 years old. Although Dr. King preached non-violence and civil obedience, his tragic death led to a nationwide wave of riots across the country. His death had shaken the nation, causing great sadness and anger. President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a national day of mourning for the lost civil rights leader in the days following his death. Years later in 1986, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a national holiday in the United States to honor this American leaderís life and remember his important message of peaceful actions and civil rights. James Brown, known as the "The Godfather of Soul", the "King of Funk", and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business", was born May 3, 1933. He is recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th century popular music and was renowned for his singing, his energetic and theatrical concerts, and his signature dance moves. Brown began his professional music career in 1953, and rose to fame during the late 1950s and early 1960s on the strength of his thrilling live performances and numerous hit songs. In addition to his acclaim in music, Brown was a presence in American political affairs during the 1960s and 1970s, noted especially for his activism on behalf of fellow African Americans and the poor. During the early 1980s, Brown's music helped to shape the rhythms of early hip-hop music, with numerous groups sampling his funk grooves and turning them into what became hip hop classics and the foundations of the music genre. During his long career, James Brown received several prestigious music industry awards and honors, including being named as one of the first inductees to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1992 Grammy Awards Ceremony. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked James Brown as #7 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. On Christmas Day, 2006, James Brown died from congestive heart failure resulting from complications of pneumonia. Brown's relatives and friends, who included several celebrities and African-American leaders, along with thousands of fans attended public memorial services at the Apollo Theater in New York. Source: Lesson 3 Worksheet ñ Video Discussion Questions 1) What emotions did the African-American community feel upon hearing Lesson 3 ñ African American Music Group Report You and your group will be studying the lyrics and listening to the music of an influential African-American song. You will create a brief report for the class on how music communicates the meaning of the lyrics. You will share your information, and the song, with the class. Be sure to answer all of the following questions when you present your report.
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Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Oh, Freedom (post-Civil War) And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free No more mourning, no more mourning, no more mourning over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free No more crying, no more crying, no more crying over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free There'll be singin', there'll be singin', there'll be singin' over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom over me And before I'd be a slave I'll be buried in a my grave And go home to my Lord and be free Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Lift Every Voice and Sing (1900) Lift every voice and sing, Stony the road we trod, God of our weary years, Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Strange Fruit (1939) Blood on the leaves and blood at the root, Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze, Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees. Pastoral scene of the gallant south, The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth, Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh, Then the sudden smell of burning flesh. Here is fruit for the crows to pluck, For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop, Here is a strange and bitter crop. Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: We Shall Overcome (1947) We shall overcome someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. The Lord will see us through, The Lord will see us through, The Lord will see us through someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday. We're on to victory, We're on to victory, We're on to victory someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We're on to victory someday. We'll walk hand in hand, we'll walk hand in hand, We'll walk hand in hand someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We'll walk hand in hand someday. We are not afraid, we are not afraid, We are not afraid today; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We are not afraid today. The truth shall make us free, the truth shall make us free, The truth shall make us free someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, The truth shall make us free someday. We shall live in peace, we shall live in peace, We shall live in peace someday; Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall live in peace someday. Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Say It Loud (Iím Black and Iím Proud) (1968) Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! Some people say we've got a lot of malice Some say itís a lot of nerve But I say we won't quit moving until we get what we deserve We have been bucked and we have been scorned We have been treated bad, talked about as just bones But just as it takes two eyes to make a pair, ha Brother we canít quit until we get our share Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! One more time! Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud! I worked on jobs with my feet and my hand But all the work I did was for the other man Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves We're tired of beatin' our head against the wall And workin' for someone else Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud (repeat) We're people, we're just like the birds and the bees We'd rather die on our feet Than be livin' on our knees Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud (repeat) Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: When Will We Be Paid (1970) When will we be paid for the work we've done? We have worked this country from shore to shore Our women cooked all your food and washed all your clothes We picked all your cotton and laid the railroad steel Worked our hands to the bone at your lumber mill. I sayÖ When will we be paid for the work we've done? When will we be paid for the work we've done? We fought in your wars in every land To keep this country free, y'all, for women, children and men But any time we ask for pay or a loan That's when everything seems to turn out wrong We been beat up, called names, shot down and stoned Every time we do right, someone say we're wrong When will we be paid for the work we've done? When will we be paid for the work we've done? We have given our sweat, and all our tears We stumbled through this life for more than 300 years Weíve been separated from the language we knew, Stripped of our culture, people you know itís true. Tell me nowÖ When will we be paid for the work we've done? When will we be paid for the work we've done? (When will we be paid for the work we've done? When will we be paid for the work we've done?) Will we ever be proud of "My country, tis of thee"? Will we ever sing out loud, "Sweet land of Liberty"? Will we ever have peace and harmony? (When will we be paid for the work we've done? When will we be paid for the work we've done?) Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Young, Gifted and Black (1970) Oh what a lovely precious dream To be young, gifted and black, Open your heart to what I mean In the whole world you know There are a billion boys and girls Who are young, gifted and black, And thatís a fact! Young, gifted and black We must begin to tell our young Thereís a world waiting for you This is a quest thatís just begun When you feel really low Yeah, thereís a great truth you should know When youíre young, gifted and black Your soulís intact Young, gifted and black How I long to know the truth There are times when I look back And I am haunted by my youth Oh but my joy of today Is that we can all be proud to say To be young, gifted and black Is where itís at. Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Get Up, Stand Up (1973)
Lesson 3 ñ Lyrics: Tennessee (1992)
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