One other workshop that stuck out in my mind was the "Project Citizen" group that has students at schools in South Africa identify a community problem and then come up with a solution. They hold a competition at the end of each year which requires making a three-fold poster portfolio that explains why the project is needed, gives possible solutions, and chooses a solution.
We were divided into groups of about 8-10 and our group was assigned into trying the part of giving possible solutions. That part of the project didn't take very long so our group decided to do a parody of a popular song with the theme being water. Our group was torn between Justin Timberlake's "Bringing Sexy Back" and Sir Mix-a-lot's "Baby Got Back" the group chose the first so we wrote that and performed it in front of the other volunteers and it was a big hit. Since I had lost focus and had "Baby Got Back" on my mind I decided to write a parody of it. Here is what I came up with:
Get Our Water Back
(Revised by David Culeton to the tune of "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-lot)
Oh my God Mbeki, look at their water,
It’s so little
They look like one of those rural village’s residents
I mean their water, it’s so little
I can’t believe it’s so dry, it’s just sickening
I mean it’s sad, look, it’s just so lack
I like clean water and I cannot lie
It’s my right that your pols can’t deny
When the water flows out with that crisp taste in every place
I get sprung
I wanna pump in front
Cuz you noticed the spout was duffed
Look at the lives we’re sparin,
I’m tapped and I can’t stop carin’
Ooo baby, I wanna drink witcha’
Get me that pitcha’
My friends they tried to warn me
But the situation’s getting thorny
Oooo with all your news spin
You say you want to get our votes in
Well woo me, woo me, cuz we ain’t your average groupies
I’ve seen your verbal dancin’
To hell with chancin’
We’re upset, but don’t fret,
Just get it to us like a turbo jet
I’m tired of drink machines
Saying carbonation’s the only thang
Take the average black man and ask him that
He wants his water back
So councillors, yeah! Councillors, yeah!
Should your houses have a spout?
Hell yeah!
Well pump it! Pump it! Pump it! Pump it! Pump that water up!
Get our water back
Jo’’burg face with a rural looting
I like it cold, and clear,
And when I’m needin’ a drink
I just can’t help myself
I’m acting like an animal
Now here’s my scandal
I wanna get it home
And glug, double glug, glug
I ain’t talkin’ about fanta
Cuz sugary drinks were made for Santa
I wannem real cold and icy
So find that icy double
Our people’s in trouble
Beggin’ for a swig with no bubble
So I’m looking at their jojo’s
Watching those gringos drinking droves
You can deal with those gringos
I like my water from JoJos
A word to the parched soul sistas
I wanna drink witcha,
I won’t let thirst hitcha’
But I gotta be straight when I say I wanna chug til my thirst is gone
Officials we gotta be movin’ on
A lot of mayors don’t think they’re wrong
Cuz them punks don’t like to crit it and quit it
But I’d rather spray and play
Cuz they’re wrong and we’re strong
And we’re down to turn the water on
So ladies (yeah) Ladies (yeah)
If you wanna drink my water
Then turn around
Pour it out
Even white boys got to shout
Get our water back
Jo’burg face with a rural looting
Yeah baby
When it comes to clean water
Public Works ain’t got enough to serve my population
One tap in the town center
Only if it’s you and me
So your girlfriend drinks from her Nalgene
Playing music tapes by Celine
But Celine ain’t got water inside of her Nalgene
My taste buds don’t want none if it’s got suds, hun
You can dig new wells and boreholes but please don’t close that tap
Some mayors wanna play that hard role
And tell you that you must go
They say tough shit and hit it
And I speak up quick to relieve it
Soweto gives you flack
Well I ain’t down with that
Cuz your calories are low and minerals are kickin’
And I’m thinkin’ about stickin’
To Fantas in drink machines
You don’t quench a thing
Give me a twista’ and I’ll resist her
Some knucklehead tried to dis
Cuz his drinks weren’t on my list
He had water but he chose to waste it
So I pulled up quick to take it
So if the drinks from the ground
And you want to pound it down
Dial 1-900-tap-a-lot and end those nasty droughts
Get our water back
We didn't perform it during the presentation but it was not wasted. We had a movie night in one of the lecture halls and since we didn't have any movie previews I was the opening act and along with back up from my fellow volunteers I performed this. Hope you enjoyed it!
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