Frontline poetry: It isn't nice

Submitted by Anon on 18 August, 2003 - 6:50

This song was written by Malvina Reynolds - a member of the American CP in the 30s - and Barbara Dane. They wrote it after the 1966 "Freedom Summer" campaign against desegregation in the American south. Megdar, referred to in the song, is Medgar Evan, who was one of a number of people involved in the campaign to be murdered by the police.
It isn't nice to block the doorway, it isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it, but the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice, you told us once, you told us twice.
But if that's freedom's price, we don't mind... No, no, no.
We don't mind... No, no, no.

It isn't nice to dump the groceries, or to sleep in on the floor,
Or to shout our cry of freedom in the hotel or the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice, you told us once, you told us twice.
But if that's freedom's price, we don't mind... No, no, no.
We don't mind No, no, no.

They killed those boys in Mississippi, they shot Medgar in the back,
Did you say that wasn't proper? Did you stand out on the track?
You were quiet just like mice, now you say tht we're not nice.
Well if that's freedom's price...

It isn't nice to block the doorway, it isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it, but the nice ways always fail,
It isn't nice, it isn't nice, you told us once, you told us twice.
WELL THANK YOU BUDDY, FOR YOUR ADVICE!
But if that's freedom's price....

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