Harry B
A Rap written by Charles Kennedy, Jr. and the students at
Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, Erie, PA
Performed by Charles Kennedy, Jr. and Stan Bialomizy, Soprano Sax

c 2007

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Lyrics

1. Let me introduce you to a hero of mine;

      A fine example of how we all can be.

      He’s a forgotten giant and yet musically

      he touched the lives of you and you and me.

2. He went back to his roots and took the songs of slavery,

      Gave them to the world so that all could be free

      By singing songs that were born in oppression and strife

      That would lift them up to live a good life.

3. His friends were ashamed to sing the songs of the plantation,

      Yet all across the nation his songs became a hit.

      People were amazed that the African slaves

      Were singing songs that brought a message of power and hope.

4. Their backs were beaten, their bodies were bound     

      They had to work hard from sun-up to sun-down.

      Yet they held on to life with a little step and a song

            And spiritually lived in victory.

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