SCHOOL HOUSE BLUEZ
The “History of the Blues” program at Cholla High School is a collaborative unit of study that focuses on the history and impact of Blues music in American popular culture over the last 100 years. It involves over 300 juniors in American History, English and Music classes and has been carried out at Cholla during African American History Month since 2000.
The unit culminates in an interactive Display Day in the Library with musicians and photography, and a second day of concerts in the Little Theater and a lyrics contest. SABHF has been a co-sponsor of the events for several years.
Copyright 2011 Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation (SABHF). All rights reserved.
Photos
Winning lyrics from the 2010 School House Bluez student lyrics contest
Thuggin Blues
Late at night
The winds a blowin
Late at night
The whistle was a blowin
Poor Lil Richie died in a fight
Poor Lil Richie died alone
It was a cold hard night
Lil Richie was a walkin
Two thugs were with him that night
Lil Richie started fast walkin
Two thugs chased him that night
Lil Richie was a chiven fool
He just didn’t know how to act
He stole thirty grand from the mafia
He dug himself a dirt nap
The thugs yelled “run lil sissy run!!!!!”
The thugs were the first to attack
Poor Lil Richie couldn’t fight back
Poor Lil Richie died in the sewer
The whistle is a blowin
Poor Lil Richie died in a fight
Poor Lil Richie died alone
By Chris Tarpley