song title: i, too, am america artist: langston hughes date published: september 9, 1925 song #3: what is…
song title: i, too, am america artist: langston hughes date published: september 9, 1925 song #3: what is the message of this song? song title: strange fruit artist: billie holiday date published: 1939 song #2: what is the message of this song? song title: lift every voice and sing artist: james weldon johnson date published: 1900 song #1: what is the message of this song? writing prompt: using the three songs you chose write 1 - 2 paragraphs explaining how they are related. you must cite specific examples from each of the song’s lyrics and explain how they are connected.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
This is a writing - related task asking for an analysis of song lyrics and their connections. It involves literary analysis of song texts.
Answer:
To answer the writing prompt:
- Analyze the message of "Pray for Me" by The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar (June 1, 2018): The song seems to deal with themes of struggle, power, and the weight of one's actions in a high - stakes environment. For example, lyrics like "I'm jumpin' out the Lamb' and I'm prayin' for my enemies" show a juxtaposition of bravado and a need for spiritual guidance.
- Analyze the message of "I, Too, Am America" by Kendrick Lamar (September 9, 2015): Inspired by Langston Hughes' poem, it addresses issues of race and identity in America. Lines such as "I, too, am America / I sing with the voice of the negroes" emphasize the assertion of black identity and belonging in the American narrative.
- Analyze the message of "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday (1939): This song is a powerful protest against lynching in the American South. The metaphor of "strange fruit" for the bodies hanging from trees is a chilling and evocative way to convey the horror of racial violence. In terms of connection, all three songs deal with issues related to African - American experiences in America. "Pray for Me" touches on the personal and possibly criminal - underworld struggles within the community, "I, Too, Am America" is about identity and inclusion, and "Strange Fruit" is a historical look at racial violence. The lyrics all reflect different aspects of the black experience in the United States, from historical trauma to present - day identity and personal battles.