Students from Ballou Senior High School in DC and teacher/choir director Monica Brokenborough shared “The Contract Song” on today’s Education Town Hall.
The song begins at the 49:50 mark —Audio Player
Education Town Hall April 13, 2017.
The full segment, which includes background on DC teachers who have been five years without a contract, begins at 49:12. Additional information on the April 13 show coming soon.
Here are the student-crafted lyrics:
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Police and firemen got a raise
I’m a teacher in school, hear what I gotta say
The mayor like she don’t care and baby by the way
I need my moneeeeeey
Solo: Clap along if you feel like you’ve been cheated too
Clap along if you feel like you need your money too
Clap along if you feel your contract’s overdue
Clap along if you feel like we make a change for you
Here comes bad news, stalling my contract. Yeah!
Give me all my retro don’t hold back. Yeah!
I should probably warn you I’m not fine. Yeah!
No offense to you don’t waste my time, here’s why!
I need my moneeeeeey
Solo: Clap along if you feel like you’ve been cheated too
Clap along if you feel like you need your money too
Clap along if you feel your contract’s overdue
Clap along if you feel like we make a change for you
NO RETRO NO DEAL (repeat 4x)
Solo: The Mayor Doesn’t Care About Professional Educators Salaries
I need my moneeeeeey
Solo: Clap along if you feel like you’ve been cheated too
Clap along if you feel like you need your money too
Clap along if you feel your contract’s overdue
Clap along if you feel like we make a change for you
CONTRACT!
Ms. Brokenborough says students used Pharrell Williams’ 2013 “Happy,” a song they had already rehearsed in its original form.

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