Why?
Nina Simone Lyrics
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My people are rising; they're living in lies.
Even if they have to die
Even if they have to die at the moment they know what life is
Even at that one moment that ya know what life is
If you have to die, it's all right
Cause you know what life is
You know what freedom is for one moment of your life
But he had seen the mountaintop
And he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead
Folks you'd better stop and think
Everybody knows we're on the brink
What will happen, now that the King is dead?
We can all she'd tears; it won't change a thing
Teach your people: Will they ever learn?
Must you always kill with burn and burn with guns
And kill with guns and burn - don't you know how we gotta react?
But he had seen the mountaintop
And he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead
Folks you'd better stop and think
Everybody knows we're on the brink
What will happen, now that the King of love is dead?
The lyrics of Nina Simone's song Why? are a poignant commentary on the state of race relations and social justice in America during the Civil Rights movement. The song voices a sense of frustration and confusion in the aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The opening lines, "What's gonna happen now? In all of our cities? My people are rising; they're living in lies" express the feeling that something profound and uncertain is about to happen in response to the death of King. Simone's repeated question "why?" is a cry of despair at the perceived injustice and senselessness of the act of violence.
The song also expresses a sense of determination and courage in the face of adversity. The line: "Even if they have to die at the moment they know what life is, Even at that one moment that ya know what life is, If you have to die, it's all right Cause you know what life is, You know what freedom is for one moment of your life" highlights the desire for true freedom and the willingness to put one's life on the line for it. The song ends with a call to action and a warning that change must happen, or it could be too late.
Line by Line Meaning
What's gonna happen now? In all of our cities?
What will be the consequences of the rising of my people in all the cities?
My people are rising; they're living in lies.
My community is protesting against the lies, mistreatment, and prejudices they face every day.
Even if they have to die
Even if they have to sacrifice their lives to make a difference
Even if they have to die at the moment they know what life is
Even if they only experience a moment of true freedom during their lifetime before sacrificing themselves to the cause
Even at that one moment that ya know what life is
If you have to die, it's all right
Cause you know what life is
You know what freedom is for one moment of your life
It's worth dying for one moment of true freedom and the meaning of life, especially when life is filled with injustices and oppression
But he had seen the mountaintop
And he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead
Folks you'd better stop and think
Everybody knows we're on the brink
What will happen, now that the King is dead?
Martin Luther King Jr. saw the promise of racial equality, but knew he couldn't achieve it alone and was always under threat of assassination. People must reflect on their future without him, as his death brings uncertainty to the civil rights movement
We can all she'd tears; it won't change a thing
Crying is not enough to bring about change; more action is needed
Teach your people: Will they ever learn?
Teach your community the harm of violence and hate, and hope that they will learn from past mistakes
Must you always kill with burn and burn with guns
And kill with guns and burn - don't you know how we gotta react?
Stop resorting to violence; responding with counter-violence will just perpetuate the cycle
But he had seen the mountaintop
And he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead
Folks you'd better stop and think
Everybody knows we're on the brink
What will happen, now that the King of love is dead?
Martin Luther King Jr. was aware of how important it was to continue the work for racial equality, even though he faced the possibility of assassination. The community must reflect on what happens next without his leadership, as he was devoted to spreading love and peace.
Lyrics ยฉ Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL TAYLOR, JEPTHER MCCLYMONT, TEAM CAVE, GEORGE TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elaenamusitano5700
Here are the lyrics to this.....
the king of love is dead nina simone
Once upon this planet earth
Lived a man of noble birth
Preaching love and freedom for his fellow man
He was dreaming of a day
Peace would come on to stay
And he spread the message all across the land
Turn the other cheek heโd plead
Love thy neighbour was his creed
Pain humiliation & death, he did not dread
Yes With his Bible by his side
From his foes he would not hide
Itโs hard to think that this great man is dead
He had seen, the mountains top.
And he knew he could not stop,
Always living with the threat of death ahead.
Tell your parents They better stop and think
Cos were heading for the brink now youโd better believe it
Whatโs gonna happen now that the king of love is dead
Well, Will the murders never cease
Are thy men or are they beasts?
What do people, what do they think they have to gain?
Well will your nation stand up for all
Is it to late for us all?
And did Martin Luther King just die in vain?
You know that he was fought equality for all the people you and me
Full of love and good will
Hate was not his way
He was not a violent man
So tell me honey tell me if you can
Just why was he shot down the other day
It was prejudice, It was hate
Bigotry sealed his fate
Go on Cry cry your tears wont change a thing
Will my country ever learn?
Must it kill at every turn
Weve got to know by now,
What the consequences will bring
Yes we have seen a thousand times
That he knew he could not stop
Always living with the threat of death ahead Yeh yeh yeh
Yd better stop and think
Or were all headed for the brink Here me now
What will happen now
Whats gonna happen now
That the king of love is dead
@marieblue
โWhy? (The King of Love Is Dead)โ was penned by Nina Simoneโs bass player Gene Taylor after the news of Martin Luther Kingโs death had reached him. She sang it for the first time in New York, only three days after Kingโs assassination and less than 24 hours after the song was composed.
During her performance, she said, โWe canโt afford any more lossesโฆ theyโre killing us one by one.โ
Simoneโs rendition was recorded on the live album โNuff Said!โ (1968), which later earned her an Emmy nomination.
May you rest in peace, Nina Simone (1933 - 2003)โฆ ๐น
@Arlofan1
I used this video several years ago to teach storytelling to teachers. We compared different forms of storytelling (poetry, photographs, short stories, music) all from the Civil Rights era. It fit perfectly for Black history month. They said the music portion was the most powerful. I think this video is most profound because you can see and hear Nina's emotion; it's moving beyond just what words or images can do. We compared/contrasted this song with her Feeling Good, and the depth of her voice and passion in both are tremendous but the tone is gut wrenchingly different. I've taught stories of slavery through civil rights to modern day hip hop through music to 6th graders and it's such a powerful way to experience these stories. This video is my favorite part of the lessons, and it was taken down for a few years. I'm so glad it's back. I love to watch and feel it every now and again. Now I'm going to listen to more uplifting Nina, because I can't cry all day! (Love, and more love to this beautiful woman.)
@isabellameadows6484
What an Interesting and relevant topic. Iโd love to have you as a teacher!
@paulderozario5573
That qร qq!!a!qqร 1q
@jacekr2655
Thanks Kim. Hearing this song for the first time today. Wish I was aware of it during the years when I was teaching elementary school. Glad to hear that you were able to use it during your teaching years.
@regan2010
Just read this in 2023, and now in some states teachers can be arrested for teaching this. I'm ashamed to say my 20 years of active duty serving my country was for noug, I don't even recognise the country I once proudly served.
@yolondadickerson2578
What a blessing for you to be able to arm your students with truth, history and wisdom! Had trouble teaching my students lessons from To Kill a Mockingbird years ago and we live in Alabama; Harper Leeโs home state ๐คท๐ฝโโ๏ธ!! Although there was pushback, I dug in and, it went very well! Was recently able to thank my principal, now retired, for allowing me to become the teacher she facilitated me to be by holding me accountable for thinking outside of the box, while putting my students first.
Praying youโre still educating, inspiring, and encouraging students to be the best they can be so they can become productive citizens in our society. Thanking you for what youโve already done โค๐บ๐ท
@adeleflateau6216
Here we are in 2022, honoring the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. This powerful and beautiful song from Nina Simone is more relevant than ever! โWill my country ever learn?โ
@jaspermartin7444
god she was so beautiful. Thank you so much Miss Simone, for giving us the opportunity to appreciate you and for what you had to say so beautifully.
@fredlawson9394
Right on !