nina simone, “brown baby”
from: nina at the village gate, 1962
“Brown Baby Brown Baby
As you grow up I want you to drink from the plenty cup
I want you to stand up tall and proud
And I want you to speak up clear and loud
Brown Baby Brown Baby Brown Baby
As years go by I want you to go with your head up high
I want you to live by the justice code
And I want you to walk down freedom’s road
You little Brown Baby
Lie away sleeping lie away safe in my arms
Till your daddy and you mama protect you
And keep you safe from harm
Brown Baby
It makes me glad you gonna have things that I never had
When out of men’s heart all hate is hurled
Sweetie you gonna live in a better world
Brown Baby Brown Baby Brown Baby”
The full extent of high quality material largely unknown from the career of Ms. Simone is perhaps to be expected. Her star has long since risen and set. But one of the fun aspects of The Bop Shop is the opportunity to go further exploring down the waiting avenues of forgotten songs. Here’s one that finds her in 1962 at the very epicenter of Black emancipation through identity appreciation.
