MAKING HISTORY - of slow broadcast and audio correspondence between listeners
This clip contains an audio letter from TERRY MAC in London to the DURBAN SINGS team during an audio media and oral history workshop with 20 co-ordinators from 10 community groups from the townships around Durban. Terry sends us his translation of one of LKJ's (Linton Khwesi Johnson) famous songs that formed part of the debate in the workshop, and much inspiration for the on-going audio media ground-work ahead. the original lyrics are below:
Mekkin Histri now tell mi someting mistah govahment tell mi someting how lang yu really feel yu coulda keep wi andah heel wen di trute done reveal bout how yu grab an steal bout how yu mek yu crooked deal mek yu crooked deal? well doun in Soutall where Peach did get fall di Asians dem faam-up a human wall gense di fashist an dem police sheil an dem show dat di Asians gat plenty zeal gat plenty zeal gat plenty zeal it is noh mistri wi mekkin histri it is noh mistri wi winnin victri now tell mi someting mistah police spokesman tell mi someting how lang yu really tink wi woulda tek yu batn lick yu jackboot kick yu dutty bag a tricks an yu racist pallyticks yu racist pallyticks? well doun in Bristal dey ad noh pistal but dem chase di babylan away man yu shoulda si yu babylan how dem really run away yu shoulda si yu babylan dem dig-up dat dey dig-up dat dey dig-up dat dey it is noh mistri wi mekkin histri it is noh mistri wi winnin victri now tell mi someting mistah ritewing man tell mi someting how lang yu really feel wi woulda grovel an squeal wen soh much murdah canceal
wen wi woun cyaan heal wen wi feel di way wi feel feel di way wi feel? well dere woz Toxteh an dere woz Moss Side an a lat a addah places whey di police ad to hide well dere woz Brixtan an dere woz Chapeltoun an a lat a addah place dat woz burnt to di groun burnt to di groun burnt to di groun it is noh mistri wi mekkin histri it is noh mistri wi winnin victri
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