Kirk was born Ronald Kirk on 7th August 1935, in Columbus, Ohio, but felt compelled by a dream to transpose two letters in his first name to make Roland. After another dream in about 1970 he added Rahsaan to his name.
His playing was generally rooted in soul jazz or hard bop, but Kirk's encyclopedic knowledge of jazz history allowed him to draw convincingly on any element of the music's history, from ragtime to swing and free jazz. Kirk also regularly explored classical and pop music.
Kirk played and collected a vast number of musical instruments, mainly various saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. His main instruments were tenor saxophone, and two obscure saxophones: the manzello (similar to a soprano sax) and the stritch (a straight alto sax lacking the instrument's characteristic upturned bell). Kirk modified these instruments himself to accommodate his simultaneous playing technique. He typically appeared on stage with all three horns hanging around his neck, as well as a variety of other instruments, including flutes and whistles. Kirk also played harmonica, cor anglais, recorders, and was a competent trumpeter. He often used unusual instruments or combinations of instrument parts, using a saxophone mouthpiece on a trumpet or playing nose flute. He additionally used many extramusical sounds in his music, such as alarm clocks, whistles, sirens, and even primitive electronic sounds (before such things became commonplace).
In addition to the saxophones, Kirk was also an influential flautist, employing several novel techniques that he developed himself. One technique was to sing or hum into the flute at the same time as playing. (This technique was adopted later by many other players, including Jeremy Steig and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.) Another was to play the standard transverse flute at the same time as a nose flute.
What's Goin' On
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Father, father
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
The lyrics to Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s song “What’s Goin’ On” reflect a call to end violence and promote love within society, particularly during the time of the Vietnam War. The song addresses the widespread violence and loss of life during this tumultuous time in American history, with the opening lines lamenting the abundance of crying and dying. Kirk calls for a resolution to this violence, advocating for love as the solution, and urges individuals to find a way to “bring some lovin’ here today.” The second verse, directed towards fathers, emphasizes the need to avoid violent escalation and to recognize love as the only means by which to defeat hate. Kirk then speaks to those protesting and encourages communication over violence, insisting that picket signs and picket lines will not solve the problem.
Furthermore, Kirk stresses that the perceived judgement of others should not hinder progress in promoting love and understanding. His final call to action encapsulates the song’s message, to “tell me what’s going on,” and to keep pushing forward with the message of love and understanding.
Overall, Kirk's "What's Goin' On" is a powerful and important song that remains relevant today, as it promotes the need for love and understanding over violence and judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, mother
Addressing the societal issues through a maternal perspective
There's too many of you crying
Expressing the overwhelming sorrow and grief felt by many
Brother, brother, brother
Addressing the societal issues through a fraternal perspective
There's far too many of you dying
Expressing the deeply felt pain from an individual who witnesses the perils of society
You know we've got to find a way
Highlighting the urgency to find a resolution for the societal problems
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Suggesting that a positive attitude and action can influence positive change today
Father, father
Addressing the societal issues through a paternal perspective
We don't need to escalate
Emphasizing towards avoiding further problems and conflicts
You see, war is not the answer
Highlighting the downsides and failures of resolving conflict with violence
For only love can conquer hate
Suggesting that a positive attitude and action can overcome hatred towards others
To bring some lovin' here today
Suggesting that a positive attitude and action can influence positive change today
Picket lines and picket signs
Emphasizing the peaceful activism for societal change in the era of civil rights
Don't punish me with brutality
Unfair use of force to suppress activism is terrible and unacceptable
Talk to me, so you can see
Encouraging dialogue as a means of facilitating understanding and appreciation of different views
Oh, what's going on
Rhetorical and introspective question seeking answers in regards to the complex issues plaguing society
Ya, what's going on
Rhetorical and introspective question seeking answers in regards to the complex issues plaguing society
Ah, what's going on
Rhetorical and introspective question seeking answers in regards to the complex issues plaguing society
In the mean time
Acknowledging that despite the urgency to deal with societal problems, change takes time
Right on, baby
Expression of agreement and encouragement towards the struggle for change
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Highlighting the difficulties in getting people to understand and accept different perspectives
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Questioning the authority to pass judgement on other people's lives and actions
Simply because our hair is long
An example of discriminatory attitudes based on race, gender and age
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
Highlighting the urgency to find a resolution for the societal problems
To bring some understanding here today
Suggesting that empathy and understanding towards different perspectives is the key to positive change
Tell me what's going on
Rhetorical and introspective question seeking answers in regards to the complex issues plaguing society
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Asserting the capability to vocalize and express the difficulties and issues in society
Right on baby
Expression of agreement and encouragement towards the struggle for change
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALFRED W CLEVELAND, MARVIN P GAYE, RENALDO BENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind