SoulTrackin’ – John Mellencamp’s “Jena”…
Kudos to John Mellencamp (yes, that John Mellencamp… white, rock-singer/songwriter) for his new song “Jena” to be included on his forthcoming new album (still untitled, no release date yet).
Read the article and check out the accompanying video for it on “The Nation” website here.
It’s nice to see “songs of protest” about this situation coming from outside of the black community. After all, inequality in the justice system (and I continue to remind you all that equal justice is the bottom line of what this protest is all about; racism and bigotry are just the primary symptoms that feed the disease of injustice) is something that all people, of all colors need to fight against.
Lyrics:
An all white jury hides the executioner’s face
Is this how we are, me and you?
Everyone needs to know their place
And here we thought this blackbird was hidden in the flueOh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Take your nooses downSo what becomes of boys that cannot think straight
Particularly those with paper bag skin
Yes sir no sir wipe that smile off your face
We’ve got our rules here and you’ve got to fit inOh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Take your nooses downHey some way sanity will prevail
But no one knows when that day will come
A shot in the dark, well it might find its way
To the hearts of those who hold the keys to kingdom comeOh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Take your nooses downOh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Oh oh oh Jena
Take your nooses down
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Cupid’s Hunt: 2009
Translator
By N2H