The Ink is Black

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 07:10 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Snuffy
Date: 11 Jan 09 - 07:43 PM

Suzanne

The Spinners did not include this verse in their version:

Their robes were black, their heads were white
The school house doors were locked up tight
Locked up tight
Nine judges all wrote down their names
To end the years and years of shame,
Years of shame

This is the bit that specifically refers to the historic Supreme Court verdict outlawing segregation, and makes sense of the whole song. And now a child can plainly see...

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: terrier
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:24 PM

Just Google "Brown v. Board of education" for a plethora of info on this landmark equal educational opportunities decision by the United States Supreme Court.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 08:12 PM

Pookie, could you give us a little more on the background? I only know the Spinners version, and have always thought it a general plea for racial harmony rather than about a specific event.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST,Pookie
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 08:30 PM

This song was written to memorialize Brown v. Board of education. 3 dog night might have done a popular version of repetitive verse, but it's dumbed down in my opinion:
Their robes were back, their heads were white
the schools house doors were locked up tight
were locked so tight
Nine judges all put down their names
to end the years and years of shame, years of shame.

It's a shame the meaning of the song was lost to the typical sentiment that people would rather hear a catchy phrase over and over, rather than listen to substance. P.s. the original song doesn't mention anyhting about a dance of liberty.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:29 AM

The ink is black, the page is white
Together we learn to read and write
to read and write,
and now a child can understand,
this is the law of all the land
all the land!
The ink is black, the page is white
Together we learn to read and write
to read and write,

The board is black, the chalk is white
the words stand out so clear and bright
so clear and bright
And now at last we plainly see
the alphabet of liberty
liberty
The ink is black, the page is white
Together we learn to read and write
to read and write,

A child is black, a child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight
A beautiful sight
And very well the whole world knows
This is the way that freedom grows
Freedom grows
A child is black, a child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight
A beautiful sight

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:04 PM

Three Dog Night's version was the most popular recording, so far anyway.

It's a nice sentiment and it's the way things should be, unfortunately in my experience going to racially mixed schools in the seventies the ones that were heaviest African American were "dumbed-down". I didn't learn a thing for a year in Norfolk, VA and then had to study extremely hard to catch up when we were transferred by the military to another school that was less racially mixed. Ditto in Washington DC.
This isn't a slam (or racism). The kids I went to school with were just as thirsty for knowledge and as capable. It just seems that since nothing was expected of us, we performed at the lowest level possible.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:20 AM

The wine was red,
I drank it quick,
I drank so much,
I'm gonna be sick, gonna be sick

eric

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Joe_F
Date: 24 May 08 - 08:39 PM

Happiness writes white -- it doesn't show up on the page.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: the button
Date: 24 May 08 - 07:06 PM

We used to sing that at my primary school. There were no black kids at the school, like, so we had to take the last verse ("A child is black, a child is white...") on trust.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 24 May 08 - 05:43 PM

There wez a UK Reggae version in the 70's by a band caalled 'Greyhound'

Crackin' song for kids te larn in school an' aall

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Def Shepard
Date: 24 May 08 - 04:45 PM

Well said, Joe. By signing in or using a distinctive guest people actually take responsibility for their postings.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:36 PM

Earl Robinson wrote this influenced by Percy Grainger's "In a County Garden". (I might be wrong about this. It was a classical piece, however. Perhaps someone knows the correct title.)

The sentiment may be dated by today's cynical standards but the idea of racial equality is as valid as it ever was.

It moved a great many listeners in its day. Earl was a spokesperson for many who
believed in social justice. Today's narrow-minded don't have the capacity to appreciate
him. And yet they embrace the inane doggerel that passes for much songwriting these days.

Although membership is preferred, visitors are welcome to post as guests at Mudcat. However, we require that you use a consistent and distinctive name. Please pick a name and use it consistently. Thank you. - joe clone -

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST,bb
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:51 PM

The ink is black the page is white together we learn to read and wirte to read and write and now a child can understand this is the law of all the land of all the land

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 02:54 PM

written by Earl Robinson, of Seattle, in the 50's. Recorded by everyone, including Frank Sinatra.

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: mousethief
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 02:02 PM

Yeah, 3 dog night had the cool cowbell. And the little kids' chorus. Great recording.

The pen is red.
The dry-erase board is white.
Together we go over
The code I write...

Alex

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: John Routledge
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 01:49 PM

Best sung by a group of apprentice exam question setters.

How did the interview go Guest ?

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: John Routledge
Date: 03 Jan 01 - 01:48 PM

Best sung by a group of apprentice exam question setters.

How did the interview go Guest ?

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Matt_R
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 07:37 PM

No no, best sung by 3 Dog Night!!

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 07:24 PM

Come on, the song's not THAT bad! Well meant, at any rate, and apt if sung by The Spinners ... :-)

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 02:57 PM

Guitars are brown,
Banjos are bad
Together we learn to
Heck no-one cares
No-one cares

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: MMario
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 02:54 PM

"board" - always prufred

Subject: RE: The Ink is Black
From: MMario
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 02:53 PM

the borad is green
The chalk is pink
Or any colour chosen
Together we learn to think
Learn to think

Subject: The Ink is Black
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 01 - 02:49 PM

The Ink is Black
The page is white
Together we learn to read and write
To read and write

The board is black
The chalk is white
Together we learn to read and write
To read and write

Discuss...