Comments for six minutes to sunrise...

Comment on lyrics to go (part 7 of 7, finally) “black patch war” by Doug

Doug — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:14:24 +0000

Found your blog while looking for info on the Black Patch Wars. The person you said”came on the offensive with pertinent questions about my connection to and interest in the Black Patch War. was i aware that the Night Riders were comprised largely of Klansmen? did i know that these lawless mobs who employed savage violence to pursuade poor farmers to join their cause also used the opportunity to lynch innocent black men? was i, in fact, racist? i was shocked; not at all by his interrogation and loose assertion, but by the fact it had taken nearly 6 months since the EP’s release for someone to raise the question” was only right in a KISS (keep It Simple Stupid) sort of way. You have a better handle on the reality of it. Almost every white person in KY or TN at this time was the child of a Confederate Vet/KKK member. Both sides of the war had connections with the KKK. Nonwhites tried to go with which ever side gave them the most advantage. When they got it right they were treated as successful “colored” members of society. When they got it wrong, they could be beaten or killed.

The better comparison is the one I believe you make. The Black Patch Wars are a part of the labor wars of the late 19th & early 20th century. Try googling Albert Parsons and Lucy Parsons for some historic people who are more inline with your thinking. They could also be seen as the prototypes of some of the “bad” people of America’s first full length movie, Birth of a Nation.

The south has an old history of people switching sides. You might also want to goolge the Colored Regiments of the New Orleans Home Guard. Started by fleeing the revolution in Hati, it was a way for people of color to be armed to the teeth with heavy weapons. These regiments held the middle of Jackson’s battle line at the battle of New Orleans. They also started the Civil War as part of the Confederate army. (New Orleans was a Confederate city in a Confederate state.) When New Orleans fell to Union forces, they quick switched sides and became the first two regiments of color in the Union army.

Keep speaking the truth.

Comment on lyrics to go (part 6 of 7) “trouble is” by Sometimes Hip-Hop Needs Cliff’s Notes « 206-UP!

Sometimes Hip-Hop Needs Cliff’s Notes « 206-UP! — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:59:04 +0000

[...] lyrics along with notes, generously letting us in to the backstage of his brain. Here’s his “lyrics to go” for “Trouble Is.” Helpful, yes, but still mostly [...]

Comment on lyrics to go (part 7 of 7, finally) “black patch war” by ChekMayt

ChekMayt — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:09:38 +0000

Ra – this is sick. I love how you break down all the lyrics of this EP. Your lyrics are so complex and mature sometimes they escape me – but I like a musician who makes you work to get the message. Do you ever have plans for doing this for any other songs? Because I’ve gotten rather confused trying to figure out some of the stuff in G’Dang Diggy – which is still an awesome song. I’m an aspiring artist and you’re my inspiration – thanks for sharing your talent!

-Andrew

Comment on size matters. by projectrz

projectrz — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:09:25 +0000

Good stuff.
Man you should use ‘Drop.io’ to upload songs you want us to download – it’s a lot easier and I’m sure there’s unlimited bandwidth.

Comment on lyrics to go (part 2 of 7) “watership down” by Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:24:04 +0000

The guiltless mind cannot suffer.

Comment on lyrics to go (part 6 of 7) “trouble is” by RO

RO — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:29:13 +0000

Yo your lyrics are real…if stop by Virginia Tech you got fans!

Comment on size matters. by Ray

Ray — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:27:36 +0000

hey Ra, this is Ray from the interview out in Austin at SxSW. I just wanted to say thanks once again, and thank you for doing this type a project, it’s an inspiring and motivating thing to see you invest into a dope dope cause like this one, with the gifts and talents you got. Much love and once again a huge thanks!

Comment on lyrics to go (part 6 of 7) “trouble is” by nam

nam — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:38:55 +0000

You ever put up lyrics to Back Home? If not, i think you should…i give you a doller. Thats probably my favorite cut off the album.

…i have a belly button.

Comment on lyrics to go (part 4 of 7) “red leaves” by Sutil Karmico

Sutil Karmico — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:10:10 +0000

It’s simply amazing, one of my favorites, whit Poison, Slow Cure and sure.. black patch war, yo’re the One, bigup from spain!

Comment on lyrics to go (part 1 of 7) “his eminence” by Meg Mary

Meg Mary — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:11:01 +0000

I’m a new fan. Let’s just start with that.

And also as a writer… I have to say that I love the way you footnote the lyrics that you’ve posted.

Reading this one I didn’t know how to describe how the story behind the lyrics make me feel.

I have a daughter who’s father is in his final stages of alcoholism. I think that I felt relief that you addressed this in your own life.

I guess what I’m trying to say with out going off on a ‘get to the point already’ tangent…

Thanks for being able to write about your life with your dad. I look at my daughter and pray with all the strength that I have she can rise above what could pull her down.