Member of the World Community

Lyrics, Music & Arrangement by Nitanju Bolade Casel
© 2005, CLEAR ICE MUSIC

Intro:

I may be young
But I have a responsibility
To be the best, that I can be

To care for you, like I care for me
To want for you what I want for me

As a member of the world community…

Member of the world community
Connected to God’s humanity
(Don’t want to be) a part of a world where people are not free
(I have to be) a member of the world community

World community
I have to be
One in the number of all humanity
No color, no class, no gender, is more
Important than the love that God has in store
For me, for you
But what we have to do
Is change how we recognize the truth
It’s not coming from the media
It’s coming from the hearts
Of people all around the world
Who need a fresh start
Peace, no war
No senseless death
Who want a way to celebrate God
In breath
Life
Less strife
Light
Hope
Futures bright
Change
Grow
Less wrong
More right
Pull together
It is worth the fight
Sing the alphabet
And make the rhythm tight
Add a little flavor
With a bit of spice
Change your life
Sing!

Chorus:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
That’s how we sing our ABC’s
And tell you what you need to know
About our world community…………

Verses:

A! All we need is a world community
B! Brothers and sisters; one humanity
C! Create a brand new society (with)
D! Dreams of children safe and free
E! Everyone may have to make a change (and)
F! Find a space where love shall reign
G! Give your heart a chance to grow
H! Heal the Spirit and joy will flow
I! Imagine living in peace
J! Justice for all; racism must cease
K! Kindness between you and me
L! Learning respect is so easy
M! Mother Earth, without you, what would we do?
N! Nurturing resources for us to use
O! Open our eyes to see the truth
P! Prepare the future for our youth
Q! Quietly, (let’s) bow our heads and pray
R! Reach in our souls to find another way
S! Strength and courage to stand as one…
T! Trust how great a people we can become
U! Unity created over time…
V! Victory begins within our minds
W! Wade in the water, it’s troubled by God
X! Xtra-ordinary journeys we shall trod
Y! Young people, we will be
Z! Zeniths of the world community

Chorus:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
That’s how we sing our ABC’s
And tell you what you need to know
About our world community…………
Yeah!

Give People Thier Right to Vote!

Lyrics, Music, & Arrangement
Nitanju Bolade Casel
Copyright, May 2001

CHORUS:
No taxation
Without representation!
Two hundred years of exploitation
In the capital of this nation!

No representation!
In the capital of this nation
Two hundred years of exploitation
Give the people their right to vote!

Someone asked me, was it true?
The voting rights of the District were long overdue?
They couldn't believe it when I said, Ayes!@
And then I said, Ayou ain=t heard nothing yet@

We are based in Washington, DC
A truly diverse community
Almost six hundred thousand strong
Have been exploited much too long

Inadequate power over our own affairs
And national issues for which we care
No votes in Congress, the Senate, the House
No state delegation, no representation

We pledge allegiance, Amy country tis of thee@
Fight in wars, pay taxes in this country
Provide work and services for the government
We get no vote, but our money is spent

You may wonder, how in the world can this be?
I thought we lived in a democracy
The US constitution gives equal protection
Check the 14th amendment to make this connection

CHORUS

In 1787 the US constitution was ratified
US Congress won the power to exclusively exercise
In all cases, legislation
Over the future capital of this nation

In 1790, selection of the District site began
Using a piece of Virginia and a piece of Maryland
Forming the District of Columbia, or Washington, DC
But the people kept on voting in their former states, you see

In 1800, Congress took control of DC
Ended representation for the whole community
In the history of this country you=ll find the reason why
And even in a new millennium, they want this law to apply

In 1846, the portion of DC
From Virginia decided to retrocede
It was returned to the original state line
Alexandria and Arlington came after this time

In 1871, an elected delegate with no vote
Was created for the House of Representatives - no joke!
DC was given territorial government that year
Representation remained an issue, do you hear?

In 1874, financial troubles arise
The position of nonvoting delegate meets its= demise
The territorial government that was given to DC
Was taken back by Congress at this point of history

In 1970, the House brings the position back
Years of civil rights activism brought pressure with no slack
A step in the right direction brought the people so much joy
And the man in this position, was Walter Faunteroy

In 1978, Congress finally said okay
To the DC Voting Rights Act, but not right away
If approved within seven years with no hesitation
DC would be granted full representation

In 1985, our hopes were really, really high
We knew that they should not let this bill die
All we needed was approval of thirty eight states
But only sixteen states would support our case

In 1993, the District made a giant step
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton worked hard to get
A DC Vote on the House floor, which Congress did approve
But when Republicans came to power, the decision was overruled

CHORUS

Now, I'm sure you are wondering what can be done?
There are at least four ways that this fight can be won
Some suggest we retrocede as a part of Maryland
Become a city or county in that state once again

Or a new law could pass with a Congressional vote
DC residents would be counted in the Maryland vote
For Federal elections, census taking - without retroceding back
This would leave our residency in tact

Or, Congress could pass another law for DC
Like they did in 1800 when they took over totally
For more than five hundred reasons they treat us like a state
And adding another reason, should not a problem create

This would give us two US Senate seats
And the census would determine the number of House seats
Preferably, DC would be the 51st state
We'd have a seat in the House and two in the Senate - it=s not too late!!

Democracy is what we want!
Voting rights are what we need!
Tell your Congress person, it=s time to take heed!

CHORUS

Wanting Memories

(from CROSSINGS by Y.M. Barnwell (c)1992)

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.

You said you'd rock me in the cradle of your arms.
You said you'd hold me ‘til the storms of life were gone.
You said you'd comfort me in times like these and now I need you.
Now I need you...
And you are -
gone.

So, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
Since you've gone and left me, there's been so little beauty,
but I know I saw it clearly through your eyes.
Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place.
Here inside I have few things that will console.
And when I try to hear your voice above the storms of life,
then i remember all the things that I was told.

Well, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
Yes, I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I think on the things that made me feel so wonderful when I was young.
I think on the things that made me laugh , made me dance, made me sing.
I think on the things that made me grow into a being full of pride.
I think on these things, for they are true.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I thought that you were gone, but now I know you're with me.
You are the voice that whispers all I need to hear.
I know a "Please", a "Thank you", and a smile will take me far.
I know that I am you and you are me, and we are one.
I know that who I am is numbered in each grain of sand.
I know that I am blessed,
again, and again, and again, and again,
and, again.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.

We Are...

(from lessons by Y.M. Barnwell (c)1993)
NOTE: WE ARE... Has been illustrated by Brian Pinkney published by Harcourt as a book with CD for children under the title WE ARE ONE. ©2008

For each child that's born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.

We are our grandmothers' prayers.
We are our grandfathers' dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.

We are
Mothers of courage
Fathers of time
Daughters of dust
Sons of great vision.
We are
Sisters of mercy
Brothers of love
Lovers of life and
the builders of nations.
We are
Seekers of truth
Keepers of faith
Makers of peace and
the wisdom of ages.

We are our grandmothers' prayers.
We are our grandfathers' dreamings.
We are the breath of our ancestors.
We are the spirit of God.

For each child that's born
a morning star rises
and sings to the universe
who we are.

WE ARE ONE.

Young and Positive

words and music by Nitanju Bolade Casel

I am young, and I am positive
I am the future. I’m gonna tell it like it is
I won’t let anything stand in my way

My eyes are on the prize and they will stay that way
I’ve got self respect and a whole lot of pride
I won’t let you pull me down into a negative stride
Down a dead end street where only trouble lies
That’s not the way to keep my eyes on the prize

This is the nineties and it’s a difficult thing
To maintain focus on my visions and dreams
Violence – and abuse of drugs
Turns an innocent child into a vicious thug

Take a close look at this society
At the status of the youth and you will see
A sad situation that is out of hand
Youth are in trouble all over the land

Don’t let this state of affairs bring us down
We have to work together change things around
I start every day by taking the time
To remind myself, repeat one more time (that)

I am young, and I am positive
I am the future. I’m gonna tell it like it is
I won’t let anything stand in my way
My eyes are on the prize and they will stay that way

I’ll teach you and you teach me
We’ll exchange information on how to be
The best we can be not anything less
It has nothing to do with how we look or dress
It’s not material things that make us who we are
Not the sneakers
Not the jewelry
Not the clothes
Or the cars
It’s not the job
Not the money
Nor the status size
That’s only momentary pleasure
Not a valuable prize

Honesty and truth rank high on my list
Caring and respect for others help to assist me
‘Cause I choose to move with love in my heart
For my sisters and my brothers
In every part
Of the world
You know, it doesn’t make sense
To discriminate
Or believe in hate
Put down another
Because of their color
Or race, I must appreciate
All the differences of each nationality
I don’t want everybody to be like me
Can you imagine everyone exactly the same”
Life would be so boring I would go insane
I love the fact that each person is unique
That we think, feel, look and express our needs
So let’s move up to a positive tip
Ex racism – it’s a negative trip!
Another dead end street
Don’t even go down there
Let’s accept one another and begin to care
Uplift ourselves, enrich our minds
And every day try to find a little bit of time to say

I am young, and I am positive
I am the future. I’m gonna tell it like it is
I won’t let anything stand in my way
My eyes are on the prize and they will stay that way

I don’t dis’ my elders they deserve respect
As a matter of fact I do my best to protect
Those who came before me
Who struggled and fought
So that I would have a chance
To listen up and be taught
I turn off the TV, I open up a book
I use my imagination and try to be aware as I look
And wonder what the future will be?
With pollution destroying the land
And the seas
Nuclear war
Greenhouse effect
More toxic waste than ever before

I need all of you adults to live as if you care
Your greedy style of living is my nightmare
I need a world of clean air I can breathe
Where I can drink the water and enjoy the trees
Recycle all your plastic, bottles, and glass
Don’t leave it up to me to clean up your act

All your oil spills, all the needless deaths
Now you want to leave the planet and go
somewhere else?
To the moon? Or Mars?
You had better beware
You’ll do the same thing
When you get up there
Just don’t forget when you turn around
I’ll be standing right behind you with a serious frown
‘Cause every time I hear an older person say,
“What’s wrong with the young folks of today?”
I want to scream
You know what I mean?
Give us support to fulfill our dreams
When I pick up a paper or turn on the news
I’m overwhelmed by the negative views
I would rather hear about the successes of life
Not just the tragedy, not just the strife, so
If nothing else, I must encourage myself
Find a little bit of time to enrich my mind, ‘cause

I am young, and I am positive
I am the future. I’m gonna tell it like it is
I won’t let anything stand in my way
My eyes are on the prize and they will stay that way
I have self respect and a whole lot of pride
I won’t let you pull me down into a negative slide
Down a dead end street where only trouble lies
That’s not the way to keep my eyes on the prize, ‘cause

I am young and I am positive

I Remember, I Believe

I don’t know how my mother walked her trouble down
I don’t know how my father stood his ground
I don’t know how my people survive slavery
I do remember, that’s why I believe

I don’t know how the rivers overflow their banks
I don’t know how the snow falls and covers the ground
I don’t know how the hurricane sweeps through the land
every now and then
Standing in a rainstorm, I believe

I don’t know how the angels woke me up this morning soon
I don’t know how the blood still runs thru my veins
I don’t know how I rate to run another day
Standing in a rainstorm I believe

My God calls to me in the morning dew
The power of the universe knows my name
Gave me a song to sing and sent me on my way
I raise my voice for justice I believe

The Spiritual /
CAIN'T NO ONE KNOW

Cain't no one know at sunrise
how this day is gonna end.
Cain't no one know at sunset
if the next day will begin.
In this world of trouble and woe,
a Member had better be ready to go.
We look for things to stay the same,
but in the twinkling of an eye, everything can be changed.
Cain't no one know at sunrise
how this day is gonna end.
Cain't no one know at sunset
if the next day will begin.
The troubles of this world fill our hearts with rage
from Soweto, to Stonewall, Birmingham and LA
We are searching for hope that lies within ourselves
as we fight against misogyny race hatred and AIDS.
Cain't no one know at sunrise
how this day is gonna end.
Cain't no one know at sunset
if the next day will begin.