The "N" Word

What'd you call me?
What's that you say?
Let me tell you
That's not ok
How can u try to talk
To me that way?
I'm not stupid
I'm not ignorant

Watch your mouth
When you speak to me
Whether out in society
Or we chillin - just you & me
Don't be ignorant
Don't be stupid

Chorus

I'm not your (edit)
I got attitude
Tired of your mouth
You're being rude
Go get a dictionary
- Look up lewd
I'm not stupid
Im not ignorant 

You need to review 
Your history
Need to find out 
What it means to me
Need to see who died 
So you'll be free
Don't be ignorant
Don't be stupid

Chorus

It's only bad if he says it
Say what?
That double standard
Doesn't make the cut
I say we bury it
That's what's up
Stop being stupid
Stop being ignorant

Lets have a funeral
But we won't cry
Better off dead
Let the "n" word die
Arrivederci
Adios good bye
We're not ignorant
We're not stupid

Chorus:
The "n" word
Is no longer in
Haven't you heard?

The "n" word
Time to put an end
To the word 

"It's time to get out your black because we're going to send the "n" word back." - Zion King

The "N" Word / Auto-Tune (Radio Edit)

Love Conquers Hate

Love conquers hate. There’s no need to wait
Please don’t hesitate. Come and join us
Love conquers fear. Hate will disappear
Glad to have you here among us

Physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight
But you weren’t prepared. Years of being scared
You had to wait
Now you pledge your honor without fear of being a goner
Do your duty and obey without fear of being sent away

You’re a parent raising a child yet you have no rights
If something happened to your partner, you would have to fight
Not considered “next of kin.” Treated like a stranger
Let’s examine the laws again. Time for us to change them

Through the perilous fight. You sacrificed your life
Don’t ask. Don’t tell
Through history we have failed you

From Russia to Uganda. No dignity. No honor
For dreams, for life, so many sacrifice
I wonder if they love their children too?

Bombs bursting in air. Destruction everywhere
A living hell around you and inside
Forced to run and hide. Keep your honor, lose your pride

No room for dreams and living.  Peace and friendship missing
Not united. Not free. No liberty

Written, composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid.

Lead and background vocals, dialogue, keyboards, programming, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

Love Conquers hate was written at the time when various celebrities were taking a stand against the persecution of individuals displaying any gay character tendencies in Russia. These restrictions were mirrored if not exceeded in their intensity in Uganda.

I want it written as my epitaph that I provided “The Soundtrack of America,” if not the world through music reflecting on past and current events.

Love Conquers Hate makes reference to transitions in policy regarding tolerance in The Boys Scouts of America as well as changes in American Military policy. There is also reference to what as of this writing seems to be a one step forward, two steps backwards issue - gay marriage / civil legal union rights.

Among the aforementioned references are allusions to both the American and Russian National Anthems.

Love Conquers Hate … Eventually!




Love Conquers Hate

Itty Bitty Kitty

Itty Bitty Kitty I can’t wait ‘til I get home
Gonna make it up to you for leaving you alone
Wish that I could listen to you on the telephone
Itty Bitty Kitty, it won’t be long, I’m coming home
Straight home to you. I will not roam

Itty Bitty Kitty I picked up a special treat
You get so excited when it comes to time to eat
Got a special package. It’s your favorite kind of meat
Itty Bitty Kitty, you are so sweet. Between my feet
Can’t wait to eat. You can’t be beat

I open the door. You are on the floor
Oh, you are my joy. Surprise! I brought you a toy
You jump in my arms. Turn on all your charms
I can not resist. Let me hold you and give you a kiss.

Itty Bitty Kitty, I love stroking in your hair
Posting this on Facebook - Caught up in my underwear
Look at us together.  We make such a special pair
Itty Bitty Kitty - You in midair - Dancing on a chair
I’m coming there. Don’t leave me in despair
Lord, I declare. Better beware. Run if you dare.
I’ll catch you, I swear.

I love you, Kitty. Come here, I could just eat you up!

Written, composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid.

Lead and background vocals, dialogue, keyboards, programming, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

Itty Bitty Kitty is about a white collar worker who considers his job a distraction from the time he could spend with his first and only love - his kitty!
 
He’s the kind of fellow who posts daily to Facebook photos of and updates on said feline.

As an artist, what a release to record among songs about homelessness, disability, triumph, disease, suicide prevention, anti-bullying, civil rights, etc. a little “ditty” (idiom intended) like “Itty Bitty Kitty.”

I consult a rhyming dictionary from time to time. Of all the rhyming schemes the publisher could have chosen for the reverse cover, it lists the “itty” rhyme scheme -  hence the song one day when although seen a hundred times, it caught my eye.

N.C.’s, Roberta Flack wrote the 1972  Grammy Award winning record of the year, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” about a cat.

The O’Jays reminisce that fans were upset when they learned one by one that  the line, “I really miss you, Brandy” was penned in honor of a canine.

Let’s add “Itty Bitty Kitty” among the annals of popular songs written about pets.



Itty Bitty Kitty

W.W.J.D.

It’s very clear to you while you’re young
Who you enjoy the most, Who is more fun
You hide your feelings. You tend to run
What would Jesus do?

You’ve determined there has been a mistake
Make every effort to pretend you’re straight
You ridicule and joke, pretend to hate
What would Jesus say?

What would Jesus do? What would Jesus say
As you fold your hands and start to pray?
Would he want to see you live this way?
What would Jesus do?

As you get older, you start to explore
Can’t hide your feelings. Can’t ignore
Nobody’s business behind closed doors
What would Jesus do?
Your friends and family begin to suspect
You tell them one-by-one with no regret
A burden lifted. More self-respect
What would Jesus say?

What would Jesus do? What would Jesus say
While you are on your knees and start to pray?
As you bow and confess you are gay
What would Jesus do?

Life is much too short. For you to live in shame
God makes no mistakes. No one is to blame
You don’t have to hide. You don’t have to doubt
You won’t be alone. When you decide to come out

From this day forward. ‘Til death do you part
You pledge your faithfulness. You give your heart
What God has joined together, No one part
What would Jesus do?

To love and cherish, To have and to hold
In sickness or in health, Together grow old
In Holy Matrimony - Witness - Behold!
What would Jesus say?

What would Jesus do? What would Jesus say?
As you bow your head and start to pray?
You stand before him on your wedding day
What would Jesus do?

Despite being released on the day that the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals overturning marriage bans in 5 states (October 6, 2014), W.W.J.D. was actually written in March of 2014 after news reports gave that Pope Francis believes that the Catholic Church should study the issue of civil unions and ask questions rather than quickly condemn them out-of-hand.

W.W.J.D. does just that following various stages in the life of a select gay individual leading to marriage.

W.W.J.D. “marries” the instrumentation of Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March written in 1842 in a bouquet of musical genius.

Written, composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid.

Lead and background vocals, dialogue, keyboards, programming, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid


W.W.J.D.

 For YouTube Video:

http://youtu.be/VsFhgkUPPrg

             YOUR SACRIFICE

Did you know when you were young?
Did you feel it was your destiny?
Were you next in line?
Or the first among your family?

Do you remember when you raised a hand
To keep and protect the peace?
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine,
Fire and Police

I want to thank you for your courtesy
Professional in every way
You respect and treat with dignity
In your service each and every day

I appreciate your protection
In your decisions, there’s no time to think twice
In uniform, you’re the finest
Thank you for your sacrifice
 
Time away from family and friends
Can never be returned
The time you spend in uniform
The lessons that you learn
Next time I see you walking by,
I’m going to stop and say, “Hello.”
That’s my way of paying back
The debt I know I owe

And I thank you for your courtesy
Professional in every way
You respect and treat with dignity
In your service every day
I appreciate your protection
In your decisions, there’s no time to think twice
In uniform, you’re the finest
Thank you for your sacrifice

A few have suited up
And said good-by to family
A day just like the day before
But this time…
… There’s a meeting with destiny

Did you remember to say, “I love you?”

Call it bad luck
Call it fate
No matter how you label,
It’s now too late
But we’ll remember you
Among the Great

And we thank you for your courtesy
Professional in every way
You respected and treated with dignity
In your service each and every day
We appreciate your protection
We regret there was no time to think twice
In your uniform, you’re the finest
Thank you for your sacrifice
We regret you had to pay the price
Thank you for giving your life
… And we’ll never turn our backs on you


“YOUR SACRIFICE” was written after the untimely murders of NYPD officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in December 2014. I had previously set aside time to complete a song reflective of the national sentiment at the time as people of all races and creeds took to the streets participating in marches and protests. Those plans were put on hold as the nation mourned. Eventually, I was inspired to write “Your Sacrifice” as another chapter in my musical chronicles of the “Soundtrack Of America.”

“Your Sacrifice” was literally written backwards. Chorus, last verse, middle verse, then finally, the first verse - I know where I wanted to go, so I worked backwards from there. The two halves of the song were written in locations over 600 miles apart!

The cover photo was taken at Bronx NY’s 43rd Precinct - Thank you for your sacrifice!

Written, composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid.

Lead and background vocals, dialogue, keyboards, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

Your Sacrifice

For YouTube Video:

http://youtu.be/twp-zPdmt30

                      ONE IN EIGHT (A Survivor’s Song)

One in nine, words she heard before
One in nine, words she learned to abhor
A phrase to her that means you are out of time
A number that could rob you in your prime
Good bye to those she loved one at a time
One in nine

One in nine, she walks and runs for a cure
Every time, she finds strength to endure
The least that she can do for all her friends
Whose time is running out ‘til they ascend
To heaven

A message from her doctor. “We need you to come in”
“We have things to discuss with you”
“Please bring your next of kin”

One in eight, she wiped the tears away
Is this my fate? I don’t know what to say
I did my best each day to do what’s right
I do not need this trauma in my life
Please don’t say you have to radiate
One in eight

She learns to live without her hair.
She learns to medicate
She learns to not hate one in nine
‘Cause she is one in eight

One in eight, she walks and runs for a cure
She changed the hate to strength so she can endure
A diagnosis she hopes to surpass
She lives each day as if it were her last
Amaze the doctors - Show them she’ll outlast!
So much to do before… before she has passed
She prays that she will live to see the date
Of none in eight

Written, composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid.

Vocals, keyboards, photography, mixed-media layout, and graphics by:
Kenneth C. Reid

Search: “Zion King (Kenneth C. Reid)” for You Tube Video

“One In Eight (A Survivor‘s Song)” was written at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2014. I was watching a newscaster repeatedly give a statistic contrary to what I had always heard. I was not aware that the odds had changed. As writers often do, I transferred that occurrence and any emotions that came along with it, into song.

Please support: Susan G. Komen, and American Cancer Society, Locks of Love as well as other organizations providing cancer survivor support and in search of a cure for cancer.

One in Eight (A Survivor's Story) Live

NINE

Written for stage performance, "Nine" reenacts the fateful evening of June 17, 2015 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, NC entirely through bible verse including the full scripture passage from that night's bible study.

In "Nine," the Narrator pays homage to an often used tradition of African American church preachers through cadence that begins at a modest pace but crèscendoes as the performance progresses

Nine struggles towards its end to reach forgiveness as families of the tragic night's victims were so quickly able to do. 

The narrator condemns to death but as art imitates life, the chorus triumphs in the end preaching "the forgiveness of sins"

NINE LYRICS

Narrator: Psalms 122:1
Chorus: Matthew 18:20
Narrator: Acts 10:27
Chorus: Deuteronomy 31:12
Narrator: 2 Timothy 2:15
Chorus: Luke 4:21
Narrator: (Bible Study Passage) Mark 4:16-20
Chorus: Genesis 20:9
Narrator: Proverbs 26:26
Chorus: Psalms 109:5
Narrator: Genesis 4:10
Chorus: Exodus 20:13
Narrator: Revelation 20:10
Chorus: Romans 12:14
Narrator: Numbers 35:31
Chorus: Acts 13:38

Lyrics: Holy Bible (King James Version)

Composed, produced, performed in its entirety, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid

Instrumentation, narration, chorus, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

For YouTube Video Search: "Kenneth C. Reid"

Nine

IN THE LIMO

"In The Limo" was written over 20 years ago. 

"I got to ride in a limousine!" spoken to Kenneth by a young male teen whom he was mentoring at the time is the inspiration behind the song. 

"We were outside the church at his Grandfather's funeral," remembers Kenneth. 

Reflecting on the times of the initial writing, "Black On Black Crime" was a commonly used phrase. Daily, news of celebrities and those not so famous stricken by a four letter acronym for a disease dominated the headlines. Vehicles were adorned with, "Guns Don't Kill. People Do." bumper stickers. 

IN THE LIMO

Don't make me ride in the limousine again
Don't want another call - A funeral for a friend
Life is much too precious to prematurely end
Don't make me ride in the limo

I've heard it said that a bullet had no name
"Guns Don't Kill. People Do"
That is what they claim
Each side keeps pointing
No one takes the blame

Don't make me ride in the limo
I don't want to ride in the limo
Please don't make me ride in the limo
Not one more ride in the limo

I watched him fade away ravaged by disease
You say, "He's in a better place," to put my mind at ease
Call me, "selfish." I want him back. 
Right here if you please

My turn to ride in the limo
Please don't make me ride in the limo
Don't want to ride in the limo
Not one more ride in the limo

Life in the fast lane
Didn't know it was your last ride
If I had somehow known,
I would have said my last good-bye
Would have told you, "I love you."
Why did you have to die?

And make me ride in the limo
Don't want to ride in the limo
My turn to ride in the limo
Please don't make me ride in the limo

Don't want to attend another funeral for a friend
When is it going to end?
Sometimes all I can do is moan

I fall down on my knees
I look to the sky
I question, "Why?"

Composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid

Instrumentation, Lead and background vocals, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

For YouTube Video Search: "Kenneth C. Reid"


In the Limo (Urban Jazz Mix)

For Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/Z1hB3WeVwTI

The cover photos for "Strange Fruit / Bizarre Consequences" medley were taken at SC's "Hanging Tree" site on Ashley Ave. in Charleston. 

STRANGE FRUIT

Southern trees bear STRANGE FRUIT
Blood on the leaves & blood at the root 
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
STRANGE FRUIT hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes & the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet & fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is the FRUIT for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the trees to drop
Here is a STRANGE & bitter crop

BIZARRE CONSEQUENCES 

Turn on the news. Here we go again
A tale of abuse against my kin
Another DEAD BODY to add to the count
I'm losing track. Who knows the amount?

I know what happens to a dream deferred
I see what happens when a plea is not heard
Begging & pleading until the last breath
A soul in anguish until it's DEATH

When will it be over? When will it end?
I'm tired of marching again & again
Tired of the lying
Please tell the truth
You're still creating a crop of STRANGE FRUIT

Strange Fruit: Lyrics by: Abel Meeropol

Bizarre Consequences: Lyrics by: Kenneth C. Reid

Includes portion of Declaration of Independence by: General Congress 1776

Composed, produced, performed, mixed and mastered by: 
Kenneth C. Reid

Instrumentation, Lead and background vocals, photography, graphics and layout by:
Kenneth C. Reid

For YouTube Video Search: "Kenneth C. Reid"

Strange Fruit / Bizarre Consequences (Don't Go Outside Remix)

“BUNNY’S BLUES” was written almost ten years ago on two scraps of paper that through the years I have spent a cumulative total of several hours trying to relocate as I tackled various stages towards completion. Even up until July 2016 when I finally decided to add vocal tracks to the instrumentals, completed so long ago that I have no visual memory, I was in frantic search for the lyrics.

Most of us have a catch phrase. My Uncle Robert is known for questioning, “What does that have to do with the price of rice in China?” My Aunt Dolores proclaims, “I’m hip!”

My Mother, Bernice has been referred to as “Bunny” all of her life. “BUNNY’S BLUES” pays tribute to actual family members incorporating phrases they are known for.

I wanted a down home, hole in the wall, no holds barred feel and felt that I achieved that with one main vocal track, three background vocals and one track of ad libs.

ALL vocals, instrumentation, lyrics, photography, graphics, liner notes, mixing and mastering are by: Kenneth C. Reid.

Pour another glass and enjoy!


Bunny's Blues

Advocates for the people of Flint, Michigan as they live to survive the contaminated water crisis.

YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/4gRE0q-eP7M  


Wade In The Water / Song For Flint

N.C.'s Kenneth C. Reid is artist ZION KING

ZION KING musical compositions provide "The Soundtrack of America" covering an array of social issues and musical genres.

All songs are available on ALL download & streaming sites.

For accompanying videos, search, "Kenneth C. Reid" in YouTube.

In ALL cases, Vocals, Instrumentation, Composition, Photography, Graphics, Layout, Programming, Editing, Mixing,  Mastering  & Production By: Kenneth C. Reid


ZionKing

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