3.7.

Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone

Mississippi Goddam is a song written by Nina Simone. She is also a singer who
composed the music and performed it live Carnige Hall in 1964. The whole song was the
protest against the murder of Medgar Evers in June 1963 By the Ku Klux Klansman Byron

De La Beckwith and bombing the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
In first two lines the author repeats the title of the song and assures the reader that
she is certain every word of the song.

The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam

And I mean every word of it (Simone 1963)

In the next three lines the author enumerates three southern states where the racial abuse
was the most severe. The mentioning of Alabama State is concerned with the bomb explosion
in Baptist Church and death of four children. Author also clearly states that everybody knows
about the case of Mississippis murder of Medgar Evans by a member of Ku Klux Klan. These
three verses are repeated three times only at the beginning of the song and they do not occur
in the further part.

Alabama's gotten me so upset

Tennessee made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam (Simone 1963)

In the next stanza, ask questions to the reader about something that should be easily noticed,
that is around. It is allusion to the situation and especially equality in society. The author says
that the whole situation is tense and she cant stand it anymore. What is more she asks if
someone could prey and ask for relief.

Can't you see it

Can't you feel it
It's all in the air
I can't stand the pressure much longer
Somebody say a prayer (Simone 1963)

The next two lines expose a cynical metaphor that the song is a show tune for performance
that havent been written yet. This to lines may be considered as a threat or appeal for a
rebellion.

This is a show tune

But the show hasn't been written for it, yet (Simone 1963)
The next stanza is clearly about persecution of black society. Hound dogs may state as
members of Ku Klux Klan or simply members of white society. Children are taken from
families custodies sometimes without reason. The writer also mentions a black cat, the symbol
of bad luck. What is more the speaker is not certain about the future and feels constant threat
from outside world.

Hound dogs on my trail

School children sitting in jail
Black cat cross my path
I think every day's gonna be my last (Simone 1963)

The next few verses states as a plead for God and the death that comes to everyone no
matter of the colour of the skin. There is a complaint, probably about the segregation. She
says that she doesnt fit here and there what stress the fact that there is no equality in the
society.

Lord have mercy on this land of mine

We all gonna get it in due time
I don't belong here
I don't belong there
I've even stopped believing in prayer (Simone 1963)

The next stanza is much longer than the previous ones. It denotes the attitude of society
and government that every change in society concerning racial segregation and cases of
abuse should be conducted slowly and with caution. But speaker opposes and says that if
changes will not be introduced quickly, probably more people innocent people will die.

But that's just the trouble

"do it slow"
Washing the windows
"do it slow"
Picking the cotton
"do it slow"
You're just plain rotten
"do it slow"
You're too damn lazy
"do it slow"
The thinking's crazy
"do it slow"[] (Simone 1963)

The next prominent stanza says about taking up a fight against the society which
constrains black people. The speaker calls to school boycotts and picketing. She accuses
public opinion of calling the fight for rights a communist plot and explains that the only
thing she wants is a freedom and equality for her people. What is more, the speaker
accuses country of being full of lies and false promises. From the text one can conclude
that there was a possibility of adapting of black people on account they start taking care of
the hygiene and accommodate to present culture. But as speaker said it was just a
ingathering of lies. She stresses that everybody will eventually die like a flies. She does
not trust to anyone who wants to conduct changes on a slow pace.

Picket lines
School boycotts
They try to say it's a communist plot
All I want is equality
For my sister my brother my people and me

Yes you lied to me all these years

You told me to wash and clean my ears
And talk real fine just like a lady
And you'd stop calling me Sister Sadie

Oh but this whole country is full of lies

You're all gonna die and die like flies
I don't trust you any more
You keep on saying "Go slow!"
"Go slow!" (Simone 1963)

The last stanza forms a conclusion to aforementioned arguments and accusations. The
only thing the speaker wants is equality for her brothers and sisters. She says that no one
must live next to her, just give her peace and quiet that every person deserves.