Using Music in the Classroom

“Using Music in the Classroom”
Four effective ways to use music with students:
Before Class:
Playing music before class can help set the tone for the class and help create a learning
atmosphere. If you are planning on doing some activities at the beginning of class then some
“up beat” music will add energy to the group. If you the lesson calls for a more quiet, contemplative or emotionally challenging session then you might use some softer classical or instrumental music to set that tone.
During Movement:
When ever your lesson calls for movement, such as rearranging the chairs and desks to do
an activity, then you should take the opportunity to play some faster paced music. If you have
never done this before then you will be amazed to observe the difference in the energy level
of your students while the music is playing.
Background Music:
Acts as a musical “Pad” during discussions or group activities, blocking out sounds from one
group that might interfere with another group. Background music also can help student
remain focused and on task when working on an assignment or sitting quietly at their desk.
At the end of class:
Positive music at the end of class can leave students with a positive impression of the time
that was just spent with you. Music has a powerful ability to impact the emotions that we feel.
Remember, the last thing that you feel at the end of a class is often what stays with you. The
next time a student thinks about your class they will remember that positive feeling they had.
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Lesson Plan:
Attention
Activity
Music Quiz
How many different types of music can you name?
(make a list on the board)
Music Quiz: (give students this oral quiz and see if they can guess the
answers)
1. Teenagers name ______________ as their most preferred non-school activity.
(A: music)
2. Americans spend on average _______________ on music yearly.
a. $800 million
b. $ 3 billion
c. $14 billion (A: 2003 US sales were 14 bil - 32 bil world wide)
3: _________ percent of R&B and Rap music was purchased by people age 24
and under. (A: 90%)
4: _________ percent of Rock music was purchased by people age 24 and under. (A: 87%)
5: _________ percent of Country-Western and Rap music was purchased by
people age 24 and under. (A: 87%)
6. ___________ percent of 13- to 17-year-olds report listening to music after
school, and two- thirds name music as a hobby. (A: 87%)
7. Adolescents spend on average between ________ and ________ hours a day
listening to music and watching music videos. (A: 4 and 5 hours)
8. American teenagers listen to an estimated ____________ hours of rock music
between the 7th and 12th grades. (A: 10,500 hrs. Just 500 more than they spend
in school over 12 years)
9. In the last 3 months, _________ percent of teens purchased at least one fulllength CD and _________ percent bought a CD single. (A: 71% and 33%)
10. True or False: More than one-third of youth between the ages of 12 and 14
watch music videos daily. (A: True)
11. True or False: About 90 percent of teens report knowing many or all the lyrics
of their favorite songs. (A; True)
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WhyMusic
Music is very important in the mind of a youth. It is a big part of their lives.
According to studies released in April of 1999 1 Listening to music is students’ number one non-school activity. Here are some other statistics reported by the study:
•
87 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds report listening to music after school, and two-thirds name music as a hobby.
•
Adolescents spend between 4 and 5 hours a day listening to music and watching music videos.
•
American teenagers listen to an estimated 10,500 hours of rock music between the 7th and 12th grades just 500 fewer hours than they spend
in school over 12 years.
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In the last 3 months, 71 percent of teens purchased at least one full-
length CD, 33 percent bought a CD single, and 35 percent bought a full-length cassette.
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More than one-third of youth between the ages of 12 and 14 watch music videos daily.
•
About 90 percent of teens report knowing many or all the lyrics of their favorite songs.
We have found that combining music with our visual analogies can be a very
effective way to connect with youth and reinforce the principles taught in the
WhyTry program.
The music CD included with the program contains a set of songs written and
performed in various styles that youth will relate to. Each song on the album
contains lyrics and a message that directly corresponds to one of the analogies from the previous chapters.
We have also included several questions and ways to discuss the music,
its message and how it applies to the youth. As always these are only suggested uses and applications that we have found to work. There is no right or
wrong way to present the music. We recommend that you use your own creativity and experiment with different ways that the music can be used to help
you in teaching the principles of the WhyTry program.
The following are two options to introduce the music
First Option
1. Walk the youth through the visual metaphor
2. Play the song that goes with the metaphor while they are reading along with the lyrics
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3. Then go over the discussion questions
Second Option
1. Just listen to the song without any discussion and no lyrics, then go right into the visual metaphor. (i.e. You may want to say, we are going to listen to a “Cool” song then discuss a picture ‘metaphor’ about it.)
2. Walk the youth through the visual metaphor
3. Hand the youth the lyrics to follow along with and play the song again after walking them through the visual metaphor
4. Then go over discussion questions
(Note: The above information is only a suggestion, there is no right or wrong way to introduce the music, please use your own creativity in introducing the music.)
General questions: for discussing any of the songs
Which line applies to you the most?
If you could change a lyric (line), what would it be?
If there was a movie about your life, what would your theme song be like?
For Example:
- How would the lyrics describe you?
- What style of music would it be?
- Who would perform it?
- How would the music make others feel?
- Would the music be… (happy, sad, angry, humorous, serious, etc..)
How has music impacted your life?
What types of music do you and your friends listen to? Why do you like that music?
On the following pages we have included the lyrics for each of the songs and
a set of possible discussion questions. You may be helpful to make a photo
copy of the song lyrics to have for the youth as they listen to the song.
We have also included with the lyrics a small picture of the visual analogy
that relates to each song. We have found this to be helpful in tying the song
to the analogy and reinforcing the principle message being taught with the
music.
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“Substance Use in Popular Movies and Music”
Office of National Drug Control Policy and
Department of Health and Human Services,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
April 1999
Appendix A: Adolescents, Movies, and Music
http://www.mediacampaign.org/publications/movies/movie_appa.html
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6
The Reality Ride
I’m on the reality ride, when I’m gonna crash I look inside
Myself for the strength and I know I can get by
Reality ride, freedom and self-respect
and opportunity, you know I will collect
Sitting at home bored out of my mindBreaking rules and acting crazy just to kill some time
I’m on the easy, fast track straight to nowhere
Why should I even try? No one even really cares
Hey now, why you wanna play that game?
Your lying, screaming, fighting, stealing, crying is all the same
You say that no one cares? Well, me and you makes two who do
So take the harder track and stay out of the loop
On the reality ride, when I’m gonna crash I look inside
Myself for the strength and I know I can get by
Reality ride, freedom and self-respect
and opportunity you know I will collect
I guess I can see where my choices will lead me
The quick and easy track is only out to deceive me
No more hitting the wall, no more taking the fall
My wheels may not be squeaky clean but I am having a ball
On the reality ride, when I’m gonna crash I look inside
Myself for the strength and I know I can get by
Reality ride, freedom and self-respect
and opportunity, you know I will collect
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Discussion Questions (Reality Ride)
“Reality Ride”
Discussion Questions
What does the last line in the third paragraph down mean to you? (“So take the harder track and stay out of the loop”)
What does the first line in the fourth paragraph down mean to you? (“On the reality ride, when I’m gonna crash I look inside”)
Ask the youth what they think the writer meant when he said look inside?
If the youth has a difficult time answering this question, ask “what would motivate you to stop crashing?”
Why will the harder track give you more opportunity, freedom and self-respect?
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Labels
What will I be called today for the things I say and do
Is there something I can change
There are reasons I can see for what they say I am
But I know what I can be, what I could be….
If you could look past the writing on the outside
I know you’d like what you’d find there
Or will I still be misjudged from the outside
Appearances can be misleading
It doesn’t have to be this way
There is so much time to waste on the appealing things
That have a bitter aftertaste
I will tear it all away and show them who I am
And that I’ll be okay, I’ll be okay
If you could look past the writing on the outside
I know you’d like what you’d find there
Or will I still be misjudged from the outside
Appearances can be misleading
It doesn’t have to be this way
If you could would you tear it all away like I can do?
If you could look past the writing on the outside
I know you’d like what you’d find there
Or will I still be misjudged from the outside
Appearances can be misleading
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“Labels” Discus- Discussion Questions (Labels)
sion Questions
Do you have any labels you want to tear off?
Why do labels take so long to tear off?
What does the third line in the third paragraph mean to you? (“I will tear it all away and show them who I am”)
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Defense
I guess you like to tease, yell, and antagonize
That is fine as long as you can realize
That sticks and stones and words and deeds
Break more than bones
Your intentions aside, I will protect all that is mine
I’ve got a way to deal with words that are not so kind
I’ll just walk away and leave unsaid things in my mind
The pressure is rough
But with some time I’ll show you what I’m made of
The fire inside is out, no longer will I hide
Behind the deeds that will take me on another ride
I’ve got a way to deal with words that are not so kind
I’ll just walk away and leave unsaid things in my mind
The pressure is rough
But with some time I’ll show you what I’m made of
I’ve let you run my world but now it’s time for more
I will row my own boat to a safer shore
I can help myself
I’ve got a way to deal with words that are not so kind
I’ll just walk away and leave unsaid things in my mind
The pressure is rough
But with some time I’ll show you what I’m made of
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“Defense Mecha- Discussion Questions (Defense)
nisms” Discussion Questions
What is the author trying to express in the third line of the fourth paragraph? (“The pressure is rough but with some time, I’ll show you what I’m made of”)
Why will you have lasting and more “Respect” in the long run if you can control your anger, emotions, and make good decisions when the pressure is on?
After the pressure situation, comes the feeling, then you have a choice on
how to respond to the situation: What is one lyric or a phrase you can say to
yourself in a pressure situation that will help you make better choices? (Memorize it!)
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12
Climbing Out
It’s a slippery slope, I’ve been here a hundred times before
Never again will so-called friends determine the score
Who will help me stand when I’ve found that I’m down
My true friends will lend me a hand
Misery loves company . . .
I wish they could see that the middle of nowhere is no place to be
Running around in circles has gotten old, it’s not for me
What do they get from pulling and dragging and keeping me down
My true friends will lend me a hand
Misery loves company . . .
What do they get from pulling and keeping me down
Misery loves company . . .
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“Climbing Out” Discussion Questions (Climbing Out)
Discussion Questions
Ask the youth, what do these lyrics mean?
“Misery loves company”
“Never again will so called friends determine the score”
“What do they get from pulling and keeping me down?”
“My true friends will lend me a hand”
How do you know you have a true friend?
(They would never hurt you or others.)
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Jump Back Up
One, two, buckle up my shoe
Three, four, I know there’s more to life than
Five, six, all the trips I’ve tripped
Even if I never, ever win the cup,
When I stumble and fall I just jump back up
So many problems in life I’ve got to overcome
Can I do it all by myself you know I’m not that dumb
What has been done in the past to help me find the way
The things that knocked me down can help me up today
Even if I never, ever win the cup,
When I stumble and fall I just jump back up . . .
I do all that I can, sometimes it’s not enough
When the road ahead ain’t nothing but rough
Nothing’s wrong with being flat on my face
Because I know I can change and I can finish the race
Even if I never, ever win the cup,
When I stumble and fall I just jump back up . . .
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“Jump Back Up” Discussion Questions (Jump Back Up)
Discussion Questions
What is the author trying to put across when he says: “Even if I never, ever win the cup, when I stumble and fall I just jump back up”?
How does this song relate to crashing on the reality ride? (Emphasize that when you crash you can stay in the loop or jump back up, you only have 2 choices)
Do you personally know someone who has jumped back up?
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Desire, Time and Effort
There are times when there is no place left to go
At least it seems to be that way
Then I get myself up to do it over
What I’d give to have it easier but why try?
Because…
Anything worth having
Is worth my time and my best try
Sometimes I wish I knew where it is I’d like to go
It’d make it easier to see
That I have got something to give, I realize
There’s nothing to give to make it easier so why try?
Because…
Anything worth having
Is worth my time and my best try
Anything worth having
Is worth my time and my best try
When opportunity knocks I will open the door
And feel the most freedom I’ve ever felt before
And all because I know that…
Anything worth having
Is worth my time and my best try
Anything worth having
Is worth my time and my best try
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“Desire Time
Discussion Questions (Desire, Time and Effort)
and Effort” Discussion Ques
What do you want to put your desire, time, and effort into? tions
(Emphasize that it’s important that it is something that doesn’t hurt themselves or others)
Challenge the youth to identify a goal that right now seems unattain-
able, then discuss how they can break it down and over time work towards it. Ask, “why is desire and effort important in preventing a crash on the reality ride?”
Ask the youth what does the chorus mean to them? “anything worth having is worth my time and my best try”
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Lift The Weight
Stack it on, how much more can you take
Before you bend? Before you break?
Some know all that you can do
And you will learn the choice can only come from you
How long will it take for you to be the one
To lift and bear the weight of all the things to come?
Of all that is to come?
Stack it on, the weight is what I need
To have the strength to believe
In the dreams and all that I’m going to be
And I know the choice can only come from me
How long will it take for you to be the one
To lift and bear the weight of all the things to come?
Of all that is to come? . . .
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“Lift the Weight” Discussion Questions (Lift The Weight)
Discussion Questions
What will your life be like 10 years from now if you break laws and rules?
What will your life be like 10 years from now if you follow laws and rules?
(How do these 2 questions impact opportunity, freedom, and self-respect)
What relationships will motivate you to lift the weight?
How can challenges be converted into motivation?
Note:
Review the 3 “C’s” of Motivation -” Challenge, Choice, and Character”
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Plugging in
When I’m down and when I’m out
There’s something I can do about
How I spend my time
And where I will draw the lines
I’ve got hopes and I have dreams
Without help sometimes it seems
I can’t find my way
When all my skies are gray
The smiles of those I trust the most
Light up the ways that I should go
And now I know that I can live my dreams . . .
There are those who care and see
What I can do and that I’m free
To put my heart on the line
To carry out the things in my mind
I’ve got hopes and I have dreams
Without help sometimes it seems
I can’t find my way
When all my skies are gray
The smiles of those I trust the most
Light up the ways I choose to go
And now I know that I can live my dreams . . .
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“Plugging in”
Discussion Questions (Plugging In)
Discussion Questions
When life is difficult, who do you turn to for help?
Why is it important to get help from others?
(Note: Discuss second paragraph/verse in song)
Why do I need trust in a relationship? And - how do we build trust?
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“Reality Check”
(Chorus)
Reality check this life game aint a blank check
Ya’ll been looking for some things that you can’t get
Without putting in work: Blood, Tears, Sweat
Everybody on your mark get set
Reality Check the Rap game ain’t a blank check
Ya’ll been looking for them things that you can’t get
You ain’t willing to sweat
Stay chilling your desire to rise, wont play any effect
Verse 1
Check one if you want a job well done
You got to be in it for the long haul son
Check Two Dreams won’t easily brought live
Without action the drive strive to attain your hearts pursuit
Check Three if you really want to emcee
Learn to love the art before the money
Check Four opportunities pass like wind on a branch
So choose the right door or you won’t have the slimmest of chance
Check Five develop a rhythm to live by
Otherwise you might miss your flight when time flies
Check Six Now feel the weight of regret for all you’ve missed
Life sailed on by desires caught in a mix
Check Seven for second best you can’t be settling
There is always new level of excellence keep wrestling
Check Eight if you wanna have affect that penetrates
It takes devotion faith hope and sacrifice you generate
(Chorus x2)
Every Moment is life and death
Every moment is a test to see if there is
any substance left
Like you heard it on life and depth
this is step by step, breath by breath
Ready set every day is a fresh start
And living is the art getting written on
your heart
And wishing on a star ain’t gonna get ya
very far
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Reality Check Lyrics Continued . . .
But doing what you can from right where you are
With what it is you have that sounds like a plan
First you contract before you expand
You gotta know, you gotta understand
That it is not given to man beforehand
To know every turn in the journey the learning curves
And swerves on the road
What times to merge and what times to go
In a direction never gone in before, yo
(Chorus x3)
Dropped sober when point blank faced with the truth
It’ll take more effort and overcoming of angst than I knew
Just to make it through another day one of my biggest regrets
When I choose to lose sight of purpose in my days to each moment is precious
I could walk through lethargically and in the end let nothing be gained
But more pain watch life pass with cars through an intersection
Drinking away my destiny down with a tall glass of lemonade
Red light stopped with detour the road blocked
Awaiting the circumstance to change to green
hoping I could stumble into success
Without the humbling steps simply sitting in the back of the scene
It’s time to operate from within the source of my entity’s worth
My true identity star amongst the infinite sky
Through act projected from inside the conscience
With devotion and time tracked
guaranteed dreams will get accomplished
Sample Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think the artist meant by this lyric? . . .
“Check Four opportunities pass like wind on a branch
So choose the right door or you won’t have the slimmest of chance”
2. What do you think the artist meant by this lyric? . . .
“Now feel the weight of regret for all you’ve missed
Life sailed on by desires caught in a mix”
3. What is your favorite line or lyric from this song? Why? What does it mean
to you?
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Labels #2
A label can be good or bad, it just depends
If it comes from society or real friends
And if you don’t like them you can take em off
And if they have been on too long, you can break em off
Cause all white people ain’t racist
And no all blacks don’t have the same faces
We won’t feel compassion if we remain faceless
Gotta deal with the past so we can erase this
And I know we can help it
But it is the one thing that we really need help with, we’re too selfish
And we don’t want to step out the comfort zone
But it’s not comfort when my pain is what your comfort is on
We shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover
Arrest convict or judge crooks by their color
Cause our hearts all work the same
Ashamed that we don’t all hurt the same
You are greater than the words you hear
Greater than the things you fear
Its not clear now, but one day you’ll be able
To break free and tear off the labels
I remember like it was yesterday
Then I pause for a second was it just today? now its only us today
And it is so hard to say goodbye to my guy
And I really know the reasons why I
Used to be just like him he had it all
The grades, the girls, beautiful pictures
on the wall
And a personality that was flawless
Really no choice but to succeed when
having all this
Two parents at home college scouts on
the phone
Even in the midst of crowds he would feel
alone
And I never understood till I got the call
Its too much pressure, I am ending it all
I said man, that ain’t the thing to do
Cause there is a lot of people that would
kill to be you
He just said, yeah I bet, but I haven’t
even been me yet
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You are greater than the words you hear
Greater than the things you fear
Its not clear now, but one day you’ll be able
To break free and tear off the labels
Maybe I am not as smart as the other kids
Maybe I’ll end up doing what my brother did
Cause that is how they all see me anyway
I am a failure so it will happen any day
I didn’t choose to be who I am
But your feet in my shoes and you’ll see who I am
I am not a thug because I live in the hood
I have hopes and dreams to live a life that is good
But don’t hand me a ball or a mic,
Thinking since I am black, that is all that I like
I will not be limited by my color
The content of my character is more to discover
Cause I can feel the allegory of the cave
And make it relevant and spit the story of a slave
Cause I am destiny
You speak to the worse, I speak to the best of me
Sample Discussion Questions:
1. The artist says . . . “A label can be good or bad, it just depends, If it comes
from society or real friends.” What labels are the most difficult for you to deal
with . . . labels from society or from your friends? Why?
2. What do you think the artist meant by the words “And we don’t want to
step out the comfort zone, But it’s not comfort when my pain is what your
comfort is on” ?
3. After listening to the song and looking at the lyrics, what line seems to
stick in your head the most?
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Defense #2
Why do I let other people push my buttons?
I get in trouble and they get nothing
And I know that they’re trying to provoke me
Always in trouble, is why my moms want to choke me
She have to take off work to come to school
I make her feel like a fool trying to be cool
I really want to change, but I don’t know how
I’m feeling like no one can help me now
Cause it is hard for me to take when I make a mistake
And my real life is bad so I got to be fake
So if you bring it, I’m gonna give it back
Going out like a punk, can’t live with that
Even though the result is never positive
Where I am from on the real is how you gotta live
I can’t change the hand I was dealt
Cause a lot of more young’ins seem to feel what I felt
(Chorus: . . . )
Can’t Let you, Got to Let go
Take control so I can grow
Can’t let you, got to let go
Take control and let my life flow
We put up walls to protect ourselves
But the walls usually help us to neglect ourselves
Reject ourselves cause we been
hurt by somebody or something
One thing is never gonna change
The dumb thing
we give up control but think we
still got it
Try to cover up the hurt but they
still spot it
And that is when we overcompensate
Turn our hurt into anger and our
anger into hate
Cause it is easy to tear down but hard to build
Cause it takes more patience and takes more skill
But it is what we need to do let the truth be told
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Defense #2 continued . . .
Wish I could have asked Eric Harris and, Dylan Kleebo
What they were feeling when they loaded up the guns
And took away their lives and decided it what done
Don’t tell me feeling ain’t real cause I can’t clutch them
The world revolves on them even if you can’t touch them
Sample Discussion Questions:
1.The first line says . . . “why do I let other people push my buttons” What do
other people do that make you angry?
2. Another line says “we give up control but think we still got it” What do
you think the artist meant by that?
3. Another line says “cause it is easy to tear down but hard to build” is there
anyone on your life that you tear down? What does that line mean to you?
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Change Up
Lets set this thing off right, It’s the game of life
Today is the day where we can make things right
The crowd goes crazy as we take the field
All the world is here to see who’s keeping it real
There’s no time to talk now, it’s time to walk now
The world’s on the watch now from LA to Moscow
How did this team that was labeled the worse
switch up their game and regain the position as first?
They did away with the curse that said we was losers
Even when life left them battered and bruised it’s
Amazing to see not even complacency
Could keep them out the game and today they be
The best in the world, on top of the league
They worked through the hurt heart ache and fatigue
They re-routed the doubt and all the pain
And this was the shout that won them the game
(Chorus)
It’s time for the change up Turn Your flames up
We rearranged the game, It’s how we came up
Pain is the fire that brews the steam that can
Inspire you to pursue your dreams again
A set back
is a set up for a come back
I was on a one track/
one that/ left me crashing/
flashback to the fast cash
and last calls/ fat stash
meant that/ life’s fast ball/
was ever passing/
I was battin,
but swinging a lead bat
So sick and tired/
of being sick and tired/
Have you ever said that?
I had to rewire
to get my head back
cause Check that
doing the same thing
You can’t expect new results Reflecting,
I had to bring life’s train to a halt
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Change-up continued . . .
I thought my father’s abuse was my ticket lose
My ticket to kick it and to be inflicted with booze
I had to chose to change up to find the real me
And for my actions learn responsibility
Hope filled me like steam and made it possible
To fuel my dream to achieve all my goals
(Chorus. . .)
The heaviness of pain now can even weigh a train down
That hurt in your soul is like coal, let me explain how
A train made a change and overcame a mountain
One that before it was unable to conquer
You see this train ya’ll hadn’t had a steady road
And because of the pain it had gained a heavy load
One filled with anger from all of the abuse
But it didn’t give up so it didn’t ever lose
But then one day the train was thrown off balance
As it approached the mountain of great challenge
He charged up the mountain but because of the load
It quickly stopped and in shock began to back pedal
The train got inspired and he used the coal
To increase his fire to help him reach his goal
He got to the top and couldn’t believe
The coal of pain helped him to reach his dream
(Chorus. . .)
Sample Discussion Questions:
1. What does the line “Pain is the fire that brews the steam that can
inspire you to pursue your dreams again” mean to you?
2. What do you think the author meant when he wrote a set-back is a setup
for a comeback?
3. What does change-up mean?
What do you think about when you hear the words, “I had to choose to
change-up to find the real me” as you listen to the song and look at the lyrics?
30
Vision
Are you ready to succeed in life?
To get all of the things that you need in life?
And I ain’t talking about the stuff that you can buy
I am talking about what’s inside, can’t let it die
Like Hope, Love, Joy Peace
If you only got a little lets work to increase
So we can get ourselves up out the pot
Cause pretty soon it will get too hot
And we do not want sit there so we can fail
We are in this to grow not go to jail
Ant though the weight is real heavy we will lift it man
And to tell the truth we are all gifted man
We’ve got to get plugged in to those who support us
Remember all the things they have taught us
Why Try cause you owe it to yourself
I know that you are great now show it
to yourself
(Chorus)
Now is the moment it is the hour
To walk out our purpose with power
Lift up your voice and make the call
We have vision now to see past the
wall
I’m tearing off all these labels, defining reality
From LD to Nike I say no to these fantasies
I’m not learning disabled I learn different
I’ve got big dreams, and I’m on a mission kid
Grounded in reality I am forsaking the crash
Jumping over casualties as I make the dash
In a flash, I climb out of the pot
I see who’s has my back and the cats that do not
And in the situations that lead to death or prison
I have to control my defense mechanisms
Leading to a better life when things get tense
And with love/ I can jump any fence
Like playing defense I gotta put in work
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Combining my time, desire and effort
And I got a bigger view now where I stand
Why Try cause I got big goals and plans
Vision continued . . .
(Chorus . . . )
Are you ready for those times when the storms get tough
Ready to channel challenge, into the formula
Leading to self respect, freedom and opportunity
Do you know what love is, and can you speak it fluently?
Cause there is sure to be distractions/ along this journey/
Things promising satisfaction/ that will be yearning/
To Turn away the support/ that endorses your flight
In order to stay the course/ it will sure be a fight
Do you hear the inner voice /coming from deep inside
Helping you to make the right choice/ when you see the tides
Trying to rise and override/ you with distraction
Focus on your goals and you’ll reach satisfaction
And this is the hope that will for sure back up
Watch us lift the weight and laugh cause what
Could have killed us only led us to collect
Power, love, freedom and self respect
(Chorus . . . )
Sample Discussion Questions:
1. As you listen to the song and look at the lyrics . . . what line stands out to
you? Why?
2. Look at the picture of the wall on page 94 as you listen to the song. Can
you picture each step in your mind? Which step is the most difficult to take?
3. What can you think of when times are tough that motivates you to try harder? ( This could be a quote, a song, a picture or anything that you can easily
remember)
32
ELEMENTARY AND HIP HOP MUSIC LYRICS
“Hygiene”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
Each and every day, in a most consistent way
We talk and we learn and we eat and we laugh and play
There’s things like mud and dust and dirt and grime and rust
I’m here to be the clean body messenger to say:
Hygiene, hygiene we gotta keep our bodies clean
We gotta wash our hands and brush our teeth
Hygiene, hygiene we gotta polish clip and comb our own machine
We gotta clean the top and the middle and the underneath
Occasionally we find, if get a bit behind
We may have thought or feeling comes in our mind
We really don’t want to think, but sometimes we start to stink
I’m here to help us all remember and remind
Chorus Repeated
Bridge:
Smelling like a rose, make sure to wear clean clothes
The night before prepare to wear clean underwear
You’re bound to find some rocks, if you never change your socks
When you can see and feel the dirt it’s time to change your shirt
You gotta clip your nails and scrub off all the scales
When you bathe don’t be a dope you gotta use that soap
You wash behind your ears and in between your toes
Instead of smelling like a wet puppy dog you end up smelling like a rose
Reality Ride: ”Life’s Big Ride” and
“Reality Ride”
“Life’s Big Ride”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
Where are you in life’s big ride?
On an upward swing or downward slide
What’s your own reality?
Are you on your way to victory?
How will your life be different
If you change the way you act
You can stay there in the easy loop
Or jump on the harder track
You’ll have to search yourself inside
When you decide which line you’ll ride
You must own the consequences
You build bridges or you make fences
It’s waiting there to win or lose
Be wise with the track you choose
Yes the rides about reality
What has been and what can be
It’s in your head and in your hands
Your life will follow your commands
Stay on the track that keeps you free
Don’t miss that golden opportunity
35
With good things up around the bend
You’ll find it’s worth it in the end
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
“Reality Ride”
Ride of reality, be what you want to be
We’re in the land of opportunity
Don’t treat this ride too carelessly
Pay attention to the signs
Don’t wanna hit the wall too many times
Gotta treat this ride respectfully
Choose your coasters carefully
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS)
First Verse
There’s two tracks from which to choose
The one where you win and the one where you lose
So don’t get it twisted don’t get it confused
The long hard track is the track to use
Yo the first track seems easy at first
Until you hit the wall when your bubble bursts
It’s fun to free-fall till you hit the turf
And face your consequences of your time on Earth
Yo the second track is harder but worth it
You’ve got to set a goal stick to it and work it
Work a little harder look what you get
Opportunity Freedom and Self-Respect
Yo check it out it’s the Reality Ride
But before you roll you’ve got to pick a side
You’ve got to decide the ride that you want to take
Is that a quick fast loop where you crash and break
Or a long hard road where you climb and build
Where you’ve got more options once you climb the hill
If you’re caught up in the loop it’s alright my friend
You can start the ride over and you can ride again
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Second Verse
Sit right back and ask your self this question
How many loops until I learn my lesson
Pick a new path and change my direction
I make my choices with some brains and discretion
Now instead of the loops that I was lost in
I pick a new path with plenty of options
If you’re caught up in the loop this is how you feel
Frustrated and confused you don’t know how to deal
If you’re angry and you’re scared and you don’t know how to cope
And you just keep getting the same results
You don’t have to start over just so you can choke
You can choose track two there’s a ray of hope
Got to look out for the people that are supporting me
And cut off all the people that are shorting me
Time to go the other way at the fork in the road
Just figure out what motivates you to bare the load
(CHORUS) (repeat)
36
Labels: “Tearing Off My Label” and
“Labels”
“Tearing Off
My Label”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
It’s not what people call me that makes me who I am
I think there’s more to me than a name stuck on a can
I’m feeling like I’m ready, I keep trying to learn
I’ve spent enough time waiting, the real me wants a turn
Tearing off my label, today my life is new
Changing lots of things I say, lots of things I do
Tearing off my label, it’s different and it’s good
I believe that I’ll be understood
Every day I’ll try to show them the change is going to last
I’m a whole better than the label from the past
I’m not dumb, I’m not lazy
I’m not bad and I’m not scared
The real me is pushing forward, I’ve been brave and I’m prepared
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
It’s easy to prove the label is true
If you keep doing all the same things that you do
Take off the label, start being real
Imagine how good it will feel
“Labels”
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS)
I tear the label off the can
Because that label don’t make the man
Make up you mind you’re going to make a stand
To be bigger and better than the label at hand
First Verse:
It’s so easy to prove your label right
If you make the same sad choice night after night
But if you change your direction then you just might
Tear off label’s lies and stabilize you life
You’ve got to learn to look for the real you
Until you turn and look and see a clear view
And see something that seemed far was really quite near you
Things may not be what they appear to
(CHORUS) (repeat)
(BRIDGE)
Sorry squirt you can’t find my worth
From a label on my shoes label on my shirt
Sorry squirt you can’t find my worth
From a label on my hat label on my shirt
Sorry squirt you can’t find my worth
From the label on my shoes label on my shirt
Sorry squirt you can’t find my worth
It could never be written on a label
(ALT CHORUS)
37
Second Verse:
(*that label can’t say who I am
Made up my mind I’m going to make a stand…)
Labels? They’re just fables
They’re just stories told by people at tables
Who don’t have cable
Who aren’t able to feel good about themselves
Unless they’re talking trash about somebody else
So they’re always going to cast stones
Even thought they know they live in glass homes
So after the crash when the blasts blown
The man without fault is the last known
(REFRAIN)
(CHORUS) (repeat)
(BRIDGE)
Stop Living up to labels and prove them wrong
When you believe in the real you then you move on
Beware of the people that are trying to name you
Because that name that they claim might try to change you (repeat)
Defense Mechanisms: “Self Control-Think
Before I Act” and “Defense”
“Self Control –
Think Before I
Act”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
Something I should learn to use, if I am getting mad
Something that I need to do before I do what’s bad
Before I choose to break the rules, I gotta have a goal
Before I steal or hit or yell, I’m gonna use my self control
I gotta think before I act, that’s the most important fact
I need to ask myself two small and simple questions
What’ll happen if I do? What’ll happen if I don’t?
Then I’ve got to choose the right direction
If my little brother comes into my room and makes a mess
If someone accidentally pokes a hole in my new dress
If someone with a spray can wants us to help them paint the school
In all these circumstances, we must learn to keep our cool
Bridge 1:
Who’s in charge of me and my responsibility?
I’ll tell you once, I’ll tell you twice it’s I, myself and me
With all the choices that there are, we should use our common sense
We’re free to choose our actions but we can’t pick our consequence
Chorus Repeated
Bridge 2:
So before I steal or hit or yell, before I pinch or kick or bite
Before I curse or swear or say mean words to you in spite
Before I cheat or cry or whine, before I push or break or hurt
Before I give in to temptation and color on your shirt…
Chorus Repeated
38
“Defense”
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS)
First Verse:
If your feelings get hurt or your face gets slapped
Only you choose how you react
You can lash out or use your tact
Don’t let others choose how you act
How do you choose to defend yourself
When you’re provoked by somebody else
Do you use hate to retaliate
Or do you show love and motivate
Yo how do you react when you’re disrespected
Knocked down, put down, let down or rejected
Laughed at yelled at or mad at your parents
Maybe you made a mistake and you’re embarrassed
Do you lash out and call people names
When you get caught confronted or blamed
When you lose a game do you go insane
Do you feel frustrated when pressures gain
Or do you choose to use a different defense
One to get you through these type of events
One that wont hurt you or your friends
We hope that’s what you choose to use to defend
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Second Verse:
What’s up y’all it’s Improv and I’m here to say
I’m not about to let someone else decide my day
Even when the kids push me as I play
They’re just trying to be me what can I say
I want to push back that’s how I react
But before I do that yo let me step back
I come down to their level when I act like that
If I keep my cool yo I stay where I’m at
Shoot you can do those cruel deeds if you want to
But I’m gonna bathe in the shade and just stay cool
The heat is not for me it wastes my energy
I’d rather concentrate on some positivity
See the truth is we’re not that different
A couple days from now you might just be my friend
So I’m gonna choose the high road and be the bigger man
Stay strong with smile on my face that’s the plan
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Motivation Formula: “Stepping Stones”
and “The River”
“Stepping
Stones”
First Verse:
Chorus:
You can use the stress you feel
You can use the hurt to heal
There’s a formula right here to educate you
It can help you ride reality
You’ll see your problems differently
If you work this plan is sure to elevate you
39
Second Verse:
Face the challenge that faces you
Know the worth of your point of view
Don’t get stuck in the flooded zone
See the problem as a stepping stone
An obstacle can be the road to opportunity
Trials happen big and small
No one can avoid them all
Sometimes you end up bogged down in the mud
Find your purpose, take control
Let that passion guide your goal
You don’t have to stay inside the flood
Bridge
Chorus 2:
“The River”
Repeat Chorus
:If you’re gonna go the distance
Stay off the path of least resistance
With the life you have to live
Respect yourself enough to give
With character heart and good attitude
Turn the anger into gratitude
That is my communication
It’s how you’ll find the motivation
Face the challenge that faces you
You have the power to make it through
Don’t get stuck in the flooded zone
You are not in this alone
An obstacle can be the road to opportunity
(Hip Hop)
First Verse:
Second Verse:
Third Verse:
Sometimes when I’m angry I’m a river raging
Can’t control where I’m going I flood over and break things
Turn flat fields into puddle like lake things
What do I say to myself when I think I can’t take things
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Stay focused things are not hopeless
I notice what they don’t notice
I know this my actions show this
Go slowest smell all the roses
It’s like the tortoise and the hare I’m behind but don’t care
I go slow I’ll get there when I get there
I reduce my rapids to a ripple and drift
Because the race is not given to the swift (repeat)
I’ve been given the gift of patience
I’ve been driven to drift complacent
Because I know in my heart that I’ll reach the ocean
When you have faith there’s no need for hoping
Fourth Verse:
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Rivers move more ground when they slow down
40
They pick up sediment and move thousands (millions) of pounds
Of sand and debris down the Mississippi
From the fresh water lakes to the salt water seas (repeat)
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Climbing Out: “Peer Pressure Blues”
and “Crabs In A Pot”
“Peer Pressure
Blues”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
When people all around you are doing something wrong
You don’t have to do it, you don’t have to go along
Tell them you won’t follow, say you’ve got better things to do
Someone may just want you to steal or smoke or drink
You’re not gonna let ‘em tell you what to think
Say that you won’t do it, to yourself you must be true
Oh you got, you got better things to do
The peer pressure blues, some you win some you lose
Be careful when you choose, when ya got the peer pressure blues
If by chance you give in, you don’t make the best choice
Next time that it happens gotta let ‘em hear your voice
I don’t wanna do that cause I got better things to do
I’ll tell it to ya straight, you gotta have a plan
The right decision must be made before you have to take a stand
Gotta make your mind up, gotta know what’s best for you
Oh you got, you gotta know what’s best for you
Bridge:
Chorus Repeated
Don’t go along with the crowd just cause it seems hip or cool
They’ll start out sweet talking in the end you’ll be the fool
You get to realizing they use you like a tool
You’ll be the one who’ sorry if you give in and break the rule
Chorus Repeated a/ first half of First Verse
“Crabs in a Pot”
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS) (repeat)
First Verse:
This is what you got crabs in a pot
Trying to climb out because it’s boiling hot
But every single time one gets to the top
He gets pulled back down by the crab that’s not
I got a lot of things that I’ve got to say
So excuse me if you got in the way
I got a lot of chutzpah a lot of gall
I’ve got a lot of things you can’t buy in a mall
So I’m going to climb going to rise and stand tall
And I’m going to tower over all of y’all’
So tell all the kids from big to small
If you need a hand up I’ll lend a claw
41
Who wants to see me climb out?
Second Verse:
(CHORUS) (repeat)
What pots are you stuck in because of your friends
What things have you done just to impress them
Yo I’ve got a lot of friends with pots going on
But they keep on leaving “Pot Holes in My Lawn”
Yo they keep on leaving me a mess to clean up
And they’re never around when its time to team up
They’re trying to pull me down from King of the Hill
To the one who took a spill like Jack and Jill
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh oh no
(BRIDGE)
(CHORUS) (repeat)
They act like they’re so helpless
But they’re just selfish shellfish
Second Verse:
(BRIDGE)
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Time out who wants me climb out
Who do I know that wants me to find out
The future that I hold if I could only grind out the possibilities
Who will come at me with hostilities
When they see me try to succeed
Who will provide me with the tools I need
And who will pull me down just because of their greed with dirty deeds
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
They act like they’re so helpless
But they’re just selfish shellfish
(ALT …..because they’re selfish)
Jumping Your Hurdles: “Hurdles: Jump
Back Up” and “Hurdles”
“Hurdles:
Jump Back Up”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
It’s OK to make a mistake, some risks we’ve got to take
What matters is the effort that we make
So if we get an answer wrong or need some help to get along
Don’t give up be strong, give yourself a break!
Keep on trying, keep on trying do your best I’m not lying
Don’t be a quitter cause quitters never win
The hurdle may seem like it’s high, another reason why
[You only lose when you don’t try] – repeated 2x last time through
So don’t say Ahh I can’t do it, you’ll be amazed when you put your mind to it
To solve a problem, push yourself right through it
Tell yourself you’ve had enough, your mind’s made up, you’ve got the stuff
Have the courage you need when the goings tough
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Third Verse:
Stretch yourself, dig in deep, start to believe, make that leap
You may turn or twist or spin, if you fall down jump up again
Here’s a bit of truth to tell, put your boat in the water, let it sail
42
It’s only when you don’t try that you fail
Cause the talent waits inside of you
It’s something that you need to do, recognize that’s true
Well you’ve just go to…
Repeat Chorus – repeat last line
“Hurdles”
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS)
First Verse:
Hurdles are hot I run and I hop
I keep myself going with good self-talk
Hurdles are hot I run and I hop
I keep myself going
I’m not saying it’s not hurtful to hit a couple hurdles
I’ve got some black and purples
I’ve spun around in circles
But I’ve got to get up and try again
Because hurdles are fun when you run with friends
You only lose if you give up so you should get up
When you fall down believe in a change
Through gains of small ground
Grinding it out will make me stronger
So every time I run I run a little bit longer
When I see my problems then I see my options
When I seek help I can see that I’ve got them
Then I take action my hurdles I hop them
Jump back up and keep from stopping
In my wood-shop I keep on chopping
Get my good props and keep the profits
One more hop and I can cross the mosh-pit of the lost kids
(CHORUS) (ALT)
Second Verse:
Let me explain simple and plain
You want to have game kid you’ve got to train
You’ve got to work your mussel got to work your brain
You’ve got to work hard got to work through pain
(ALT……got to work your heart got to work your brain..)
Inch by inch you can measure your gain
Till you’ve come so far I could cross the Great Plains
And in the end it’s worth your strain
Because you hit all your hurdles on the inside lane
Inch by inch we can measure our gains
Till we’ve come so far we’ve crossed the Great Plains
And in the end its worth our strains
Because we hit all our hurdles on the inside lanes
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Desire Time and Effort: “Time, Effort ,
Desire” and “Garden of Wonders”
Time, Effort
and Desire
Chorus:
How does it feel inside the maze? How do you spend your
hours & days?
Do you push yourself to follow a plan? Here’s something to help you understand
43
Life can be so frustrating, confusing and aggravating
Three key words will get you going, keep you moving, keep you growing
First Verse:
Second Verse:
Chorus 2:
Bridge:
Chorus 3:
Time, Effort and Desire. You’ll find that you’ll be reaching higher
What you want deserves your best, put your all into this test
Light your inner fire with time, effort and desire
Someone out there’s had your trouble, maybe even had it double
They found a way to overcome by working hard, not being dumb
You too can get through your trial, experience is so worthwhile
Put work into what you believe, you will be amazed what you achieve
With time, effort and desire you’ll find that you’ll be reaching higher
Success comes when you’re not denying, winners win cause they keep trying
Light your inner fire with time, effort and desire
Stuck on a dead end road, out on a one way track
Lost in a sea of doubt, how can you make it out?
If you want it, got to give your all, don’t give up when you take a fall
Life’s a game you want to win, you must jump up again
With time, effort and desire you’ll find you will be reaching so much higher
Start it for yourself right now, you know the why you know the how
Light your inner fire with time, effort and desire
“Garden of
Wonders”
(Hip Hop)
(HOOK)
First Verse:
(CHORUS)
Second Verse:
This is my working song that I spent time working on
I get my effort on my desires strong I’m working on
Oh my how high your vines have grown
Our garden is so green and over grown
Its so to fun to have some sun to call your own
Sunflower blooms big and over-blown
But I think its time to pull some weeds indeed
Give our plants all the room they need to breath
Give them just a little space to grow and thrive
Did you know that a plant can feel your vibes
It can pick up on the inner-light that shines
So make sure that you always treat them kind
Make sure that you always keep in mind my green thumb
Could come and blow your mind
That’s how my sugar beet got sweet inside
And that’s why I won the Nobel Prize
You want to grow grapes that are great to grub
You’ve got to give them good thoughts and love
This world is a garden of wonders
Where life springs forth from the darkness under
It’s a miracle right before your eyes
When we add water to where sunlight shines
You want to garden kids you’ve got to work
You’ve got to dig in the dirt and work the earth
Dig rows with your hoes so your seeds can grow
44
( ALT HOOK)
When you plant a seed you can say you sow
Just think in the fall we can harvest our snacks
While we do the Cabbage Patch in the cabbage patch
But right now it’s spring when things are born
When water flows between rows of corn
So I wake up at the break of dawn
So I can get my breaking on
If I sleep too long with what I’m taking on
Then I won’t have time it will take too long
So that’s what I learned in the garden
Is that you’ve got to work you hardest
You’ve got to work to harvest
All the fruits of your labor that you earned so honest
(CHORUS)
….working on, we sing a working song….we keep working on.)
Lift The Weight: “Struggles Make Us
Strong” and “Lift The Weight”
“Struggles
Make Us
Strong”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
Everyday we deal with problems, some really stressful stuff
If we meet these trials right, they can help to make us tough
Challenges can strengthen our character and heart
With courage we can face them, right from the start
Lift the weight, bear the burden, struggles make us strong
Good choices build good character, that will help push you along
The diamond can’t be polished without some force and friction
Resistance builds the muscle, if we meet it with conviction
Laws and rules have reason, good comes from some restriction
Find that power you have within, starts with self discipline
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Getting strong helps you earn respect
Your character lets you connect
Don’t settle for just aimless drifting
Dig down deep, keep on lifting
Repeat Chorus
“Lift the
Weight”
(Hip Hop)
First Verse:
I do clings to build my hamstrings
I do things repetitiously
So I can get results that I can see
In my own physique
So I can see strength where I once was weak
Because I never give up and I keep the beat
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Because I never give up I complete the feat
Because I never lift a thing without proper technique
I’m not a freak I get the job done
At the gym I’m awesome
I don’t lift weights I flip and toss ‘em
With perfect form I prefect my form
Until I rise right above your expected norm
I’ve got the time and desire to put in the effort
I want my mussel to rank higher whenever measured
I want my brain to be my part that’s most treasured
So I exercise my mind with every endeavor
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Second Verse:
I lift weight the most reps at the best rate
I bench press all these dumbbells off my chest plate
(*ALT CHORUS ..all you dumbbells)
I build character when I choose to face a challenge
So I work out and drink milk by the gallons
I weight train with weights that are balanced
It makes me stronger putting time into my talents
I meet resistance with effort and desire
I meet resistance and it makes me perspire
I meet resistance and it makes me climb higher than I could
If I never met any resistance like I should
Without a challenge my mussels get weak so
I‘ve got to struggle I got to hustle just to eat bro
I’ve got to tussle with trouble that’s my credo
And you’ll never catch me in a Speedo
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Getting Plugged In: “I Really Need
A Friend” and “Plugged In”
“I Really Need
a Friend”
First Verse:
Chorus:
Second Verse:
Chorus 2:
Friends come in all shapes and sizes
With different shaped bodies and different colored eyeses
Friends will call and talk with you, go to the mall and walk with you
They tell you their fears, hopes and surprises
I really need a friend, an amigo, a pal, a buddy
Doesn’t matter if they’re not rich, cool or pretty
Or if they’re a little bit nutty
I really need a friend
Friends are great to have when you are playing
They will listen to you, hear what you’re saying
They’ll laugh and they’ll cry with you, and stand right beside you
When others leave they will be staying
A lot goes into being a friend
Working together, the time that you spend
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Learn how to trust, you don’t have to pretend
It’s so good to have a friend
Bridge:
Friends are always happy when they’re sharing
They are fun, they are nice and they are caring
They forget and they forgive, they let you live as you want to live
They smile when they see the smile you are wearing
“Plugged In”
(Hip Hop)
(CHORUS)
First Verse:
I get going I get rolling along
I don’t look back I look ahead and move on
Got to go with the flow when the current is strong
Got to get plugged in so the light can come on
I need to get plugged in so I can get the juice
And shine light on my life so I can get the truth
So I can see through your lies and poor excuse
For being my friends kid you just pretend
Cause your just trying to pull me down in the end
Like that song that we rock about the “Crabs in the Pots”
I got a lot of friends and they’re crabs a lot
They don’t have the kind of self respect I got
(CHORUS) (repeat)
And then shine because it’s my time to shine it’s my time to shine come on shine
(CHORUS) (repeat)
Second Verse:
I want to hang out with positive friends
The ones that lead down paths with positive ends
Yo I want to be the kind of friend I’d like to have
Like the one that helped me out on the mic perhaps
And you know you like the vocals overlap
And you know we love the way the locals go for that
And you know that’s what motivates us to rap
And you know that’s the way we’re supposed to act
(CHORUS) (repeat)
And then shine you got to let that shine come on shine
Third Verse:
Yo rhyming on the mic is how I put in work
It’s what I do with my friends that I know won’t hurt
My friends myself or anyone else
It gives us self respect and you know that helps
(CHORUS)
And then shine because it’s my time to shine I shine
Because you know it’s my time you know it’s my time…
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Seeing Over the Wall: “Over the Wall”
“Over the Wall”
First Verse:
Chorus 1:
Second Verse:
Chorus 2:
Third Verse:
Chorus 3:
Bridge:
Chorus 4:
I’ll tell you why I’m trying
I’ll tell you why you won’t stop me from flying
I’ve learned to jump, I’ve learned how to climb
I’m solving my problems, one step at a time
Something I know and believe
As I struggle each day to achieve
Within my grasp, a goal I can reach
Even when I may stumble and fall
I can see over the wall…
In spite of life’s constant motion
I’ve got a plan that deserves my devotion
I’m looking up, I’m reaching in
I’m going further than I’ve ever been
Somewhere within me I feel
The desire, the effort and will
No hurdle no flood and no label can stop me
Even if I stumble and fall
I can see over the wall…
There is such power in trial
If you keep pushing forward, don’t stop in denial
Quitters don’t win, winners won’t quit
With opportunity waiting, you cannot afford to sit
Somehow I know I can be
In control of the forces in me
With freedom of choice and the strength to succeed
Even if I stumble and fall
I can see over the wall
Take control of your own circumstance
Choose ways that give you a good fighting chance
Hope is much stronger than all of the bricks in your way
Spend your time on things that will last
Prepare for the future and learn from the past
If you’re wondering when to start trying, today is the day
Somewhere within me I feel
The desire, the effort and will
No hurdle, no flood and no label can stop me
Even if I stumble and fall, I can see over the wall
Over the wall.
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