Okay, so I'm crying. Again.
I don't know how many of you are familiar with Ron Clark, but he's an awesome teacher who is making great strides in helping disadvantaged kids meet their full potential. (You may remember the movie from 2006 with Matthew Perry in the title role.)
Well, Ron and his kids are back in the news. Follow me over the fold for the latest....
According to their website,
Ron Clark Academy students are fulfilling a promise they made leading up to the Presidential election.
[snip]
...students made a pledge that they would create a new song for the President-Elect...either John McCain or Barack Obama. Now that we know the President-Elect is Barack Obama, the song has been written and is ready to be heard. Students wrote the lyrics themselves – collectively as a group.
Their efforts, which can be seen at the link below, also carried the hope that they might be invited to the Inauguration Festivities. Be sure to watch it to the very end!
[Ed Note: TURN YOUR VOLUME DOWN A BIT BEFORE CLICKING LINK. I'm not embedding, because the video plays as soon as the page loads - and I couldn't find the frackin' volume control!]
Dear Obama - Full Song as Performed by the Students
Lyrics follow for those of you unable to access the video.
Dear Obama
(Solo - spoken)
This is a letter to Barack Obama...it’s our way of saying thank you.
(Solo-spoken)
Thank you for showing me that no doors are closed.
I have the power to control my own future.
(Solo-spoken)
Thank you for showing me that I can stand tall and be proud of who I am.
(Solo – spoken)
You have given us strength, courage, and hope
And for that we all say Thank You!
(Verse 1)
Dear Obama, Hear us sing.
We’re ready for the change that you will bring.
Going to shine the light for the world to see, to spread peace hope and democracy.
The time is now bring our troops home. Iraq can stand strong on its own.
And fight for health care for the young so that coverage is available for everyone.
And it’s time to find renewable ways to fuel our needs, so we don’t depend on Chavez and the Middle East.
We’ve got to stand up tall for the middle class and regulate the businesses that in the past got away with no oversight.
Doing things that we’re not right. Giving loans and bad advice, expecting us to pay the price.
The change we need should begin today and Barack we stand behind you as you lead the way.
(Chorus)
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba – Obama.
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba _ Obama.
You’ve broken down doors
No limits anymore
We all agree that Yes We Can
(Verse 2)
Dear Obama we must unite and pull together members of the left and the right.
With terror threats bringing fear we hope our word you will soon hear.
Diplomacy in Islaamabaad and please control Ahmidinejad. With Hillary Clinton as your Secretary of State, your team has the opportunity to make
The world will see us with adoring eyes. And our popularity will rise. Please pay off all our debts to China, and strengthen our forces against Al-qaeda. You have the power to change education, giving our public schools some dedication.
Raising up teacher pay
Improving Schools in every state
So every child can truly make it, in the steps that you’ve created.
(Chorus)
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba – Obama.
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba _ Obama.
You’ve broken down doors
No limits anymore
We all agree that Yes We Can
(Solo – spoken)
And today is a new day where we can all see a new hope for our country.
And we know that along your journey, people said mean things to you and about you. But you never gave up and that gives us the strength to never give up. You are more than a President. You are a role model, a father figure, and a man we can all look up to, and for that we say Thank You.
(Chorus)
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba – Obama.
Dear Obama – ba, ba, ba _ Obama.
You’ve broken down doors
No limits anymore
We all agree that Yes We Can
(Solo – spoken)
Sincerely, every child, every family, everyone...
Barack Obama – We Thank You!
Here's the CNN report on the story:
The students will be performing their song at several of the Inaugural Balls - in tuxedos, no less! You can tell how excited they are and that they are full of a renewed hope that they once thought beyond their reach. I wouldn't be one bit surprised if there wasn't a future President in the group.....