Well, I cannot sing and I cannot dance. But I can talk and I do have rhythm. And I also have a baseball cap.
My son was horrified at my idea.
Joel: Mom, NO! There’s no such THING as a 58-year-old, Caucasian, female rap artist!!
Me: How about a hard of hearing one?
Joel: Oh, man – I’m going to have to leave home, change my name and go into hiding.
Me: Ok, bye. But before you go, show me how to ‘rap’.
Joel: Sigh.
When you read the following ‘rap song’, it helps to read it out loud. Try and get some rhythm going – jab your shoulders forward, one at a time, back and forth. Groove.
SHOW ME (THE LIPS)
Speak up girl, look me in the eye
Face me fella – I’ll tell you why
I have to see your lips, so I can get a grip
On what you’re saying, conveying, your brains, your wit.
Show me! Show me! Show me the lips or keep ‘em zipped!
I’m hard of hearing and I’m wearing two
Hearing aids connecting me to you
I’ve named one Billy, and I’ve named one Bob
You might think that’s silly, but do THEY have a job!
They’re my lifeline, my rope of connection
They take me from ‘huh?’, to human interaction
They turn on the power of my communication
But they’re not perfect, they’re just amplification.
They need help from my eyes to hear
I have to SEE what should be coming in my ears.
So don’t turn your back, or turn down the light
I have to see your lips, so I can get it right – so
Speak up girl, look me in the eye
Face me fella – I’ll tell you why
I have to see your lips, so I can get a grip
On what you’re saying, conveying, your brains, your wit.
Show me! Show me! Show me the lips or keep ‘em zipped!
I want to connect, interact and engage
Not go crazy, giving way to ear rage.
So don’t roll your eyes or give a big sigh
Talking face to face shouldn’t terrify.
It’s not my brain that’s causing this trouble
Just a malfunction in the auditory bubble
When you understand where I’m coming from
We can start talking and have some fun!
See, it doesn’t matter how old we are
If we’re 20, 40, 60 or 84
Hearing loss is no respecter
Of age, brains, power or gender
It can any happen any time, to anyone
Hope that soon it won’t be you, face to face, saying:
Speak up girl, look me in the eye
Face me fella – I’ll tell you why
I have to see your lips, so I can get a grip
On what you’re saying, conveying, your brains, your wit.
Show me! Show me! Show me the lips or keep ‘em zipped!
© Gael Hannan 2008
Miz Gael, Rap Artist (Red Hat)
Enjoy the coming long weekend and remember to show people your lips.
Gael, you did it again! I love this, my creative friend.
Gael – Clever, informative, and funny!
Ahhhh…The Silver Dollar Dolly…maybe? Cool!
LOVE IT….LOVE IT…..LOVE IT….and i’m not yelling! Great, cool and way to go Gael.
Love this!
Gael, I’ve always said you’re one talented lady and once again, you’ve proved me right. Rap it Baby!
Gael, I always enjoy reading what you write, you really help me, a BAHA and hearing aid user, put a smile on my face.
As one of the early “posers”/”backup artists”, and I use the terms VERY loosely, to one of Gael’s performances of this piece, I can wholeheartedly say you haven’t seen anything until you see this amazing and talented “58-year-old, Caucasian, female rap artist” do her thang! Fearless and fun, she instills the message in you when you least expect it. You Go Girl!
Yo G, that lip rap was tight yo !!!! translation: Fantastic job Gael! You have done it again. Thanks