Ellington

We found Marla Moore's freshly penned lyrics in honor of Charles Moore and Henry Dee on her "Punk Rasta" myspace page this week and asked to publish them. The JFP spoke with Moore Tuesday about the song she had just written for two fallen Mississippians.

What drew you to the Charles Moore and Henry Dee story?
I read (Donna Ladd's) story and the song just came out of me. It's not a logical process; it's a supernatural process. A lot of people have that connection, because they don't stand just for themselves. Between Maryland, where I live, and Mississippi, how many bodies are out there that will never be claimed? We have to explore them, and that's what I do as an artist. That's what your paper did: give them a voice.

You begin the song by saying, "This is the kind of song no one should ever write." What did you mean?
No one should have to ever write this song, because it shouldn't happen. Just as with songs like (Bob Dylan's) "The Death of Emmet Till" and "Hurricane" and (Richard Farina's) "Birmingham Sunday," not every song is going to be a happy song. I'm also alluding to the fact that, at the time, no one really wanted to tell the story. Because of fear, they let them be buried.

You write, "Two graves remain unquiet, breaking 40 years of silence." How did you react to the news that, after 40 years of silence, James Seale was finally arrested?
I feel that this is important because we have (the deaths of) iconic figures in pop culture, such as Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur and Jon-Benet Ramsey, in which the public seems to get caught up in the whys and wherefores, but we forget about the human cost. It's an ongoing process of finding justice. No one can mourn fully until there's justice. The community needs to know you can't just do these kinds of things and get away with it. Right now we have the largest group of hate Web sites—racism and intolerance are at an all-time high right now. But when you see people banning together, it makes you more optimistic. Part of me thinks (Seale) is too old to suffer, for as much as he should, but I feel like—Henry and Charles—I feel like I know them. I feel like it's what they wanted.

Do you believe the public is ready to acknowledge the tragedy of Moore and Dee's deaths?
Now we're becoming more of a human family. It doesn't seem so most of the time, if you look at the craziness that happens. Yes, America is ready to accept that these men were human. The fact that they were African American is important. I think that more people, because of those who have crossed cultures, can see that two black people are human. If you're African American in the media, you're shooting somebody or stabbing somebody. So much of American media is dehumanizing to us. The fact that your newspaper and (filmmaker David Ridgen) even gave time for, or the fact that anybody cares about, justice, to me is a miracle. Eventually it will trickle down. I think a lot of people care. More than I would have thought. They are ready because it's not like that's not still happening somewhere. There are still people going around, feeling as though they can beat people, and kill people, and drag people behind trucks. These two men are iconic symbols that we are worth it—not just African Americans—we are all worth it. If I can have justice, that means you can have justice, too.

What are your plans for releasing "Anywhere in Glory?"
I don't want it to be so much about me or the band. Even the picture we have for the CD, it's really going to feature that gravestone. I don't want to do anything where someone looks at me, or looks at my group, and tries to identify with us. I want them to first look at the music and identify themselves. (Donna Ladd's) story did that—it tapped into humanity. When you do that, you're going to win. You're going to get your message across. It's going to play in Mississippi before it plays anywhere else. Think about it—that would be an old miracle going on. It's meant to be.

Be sure and visit the JFP's podcast site to hear a podcast of Moore's song.

"Anywhere in Glory"
This is that kind of song
No one should ever write
But what to do when demons
Steal an innocent life

Though old Seale
Tries to deny it
Two graves remain unquiet breaking
Forty years of silence
Hallelujah
(Chorus)

Words & Music © Marla Moore 2007

Previous Comments

ID

80838

Comment

Everyone be sure to read this. It's one of the coolest things that happened over this last week, and there were a lot of cool things! We'll be posted a link to the song shortly.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-02-01T17:15:20-06:00

ID

80839

Comment

Visit Marla's myspace page here. The song will be available for download shortly, she tells us. Keep an eye out! Also there are lots of comments about her song and the case on a different page here. It's lovely to see the Thomas-Charles-Henry story inspire such creativity in a new generation of young Americans. Cheers to Marla.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-02-05T17:39:58-06:00

ID

80840

Comment

Hi Donna and Jackson Free Press Family, For it truly does feel like a family. I hope that the Moores, the Dees and all those who fight for justice for the victims and their families know that you are in so many minds, hearts and prayers. The response to just these lyrics has been overwhelmingly compassionate. It is also a pleasure to find that my art has educated a few people who were unaware of the case. The band and I are working on making sure that this song does justice to Charles Moore, Henry Dee and all the known and unknown victims past and present. It will soon be done. And we promise it will debut here first! Blessings and Love to all who fight for justice!

Author

marla moore

Date

2007-02-06T00:40:14-06:00

ID

80841

Comment

Hi Marla, I read the words and my heart sank, thanks for your dedication and I will be waiting for the song. peachie

Author

Pmm

Date

2007-02-06T19:52:56-06:00

ID

80842

Comment

Ooo, thanks for writing, Marla! I'm so glad that you were inspired by the piece—and your lyrics are, in turn, inspiring us to go even further with this work. It is so meaningful for it to find a new audience out there who knows little about these cases and are touched by these stories. We are family, no doubt. ;-D Can't wait to hear the song. Good luck in the studio.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-02-06T20:59:39-06:00

ID

80843

Comment

Hey Marla, this is a great tribute. We are proud of you and your effort to highlight this social injustice. Matt

Author

Matthew

Date

2007-02-07T19:35:36-06:00

ID

80844

Comment

Oh my God, I can't wait to actually hear this song. Just reading the words bring tears to my eyes. Off to see her myspace page.

Author

C.W.

Date

2007-02-07T21:36:59-06:00