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Another Word for "People"

Linda K. Williams
San Diego Unified School District

The Lyrics of "Another Word for 'People'"
Teaching and Performance Suggestions
Author's Note
Editor's Note
Recommended Citation in the APA Style

The Lyrics of "Another Word for 'People'"

___________* is just another word for PEOPLE,
___________** is just another word for PEOPLE;
We're much more alike 
than the labels make it seem,
And we all call this earth our home.
(After last verse:)
Yes, we all call this earth our home. [paragraph 1]

Teaching and Performance Suggestions

Discuss how labels are useful when we are shopping (it is
helpful to have a label on a can, so we know whether we're holding a can of
soup, or cat food!).  However, when labels are applied to people, they tend to
hide our common humanity; they hinder, rather than help, us in relating
to others. [paragraph 2]

Have a singer hold a face-covering label up until the word "People" is
sung; the label will then be removed, revealing the singer's face. [paragraph 3]

Author's  Note

This song was written as what is known as a "zipper" song:  i.e., the short
verse is to be repeated numerous times, using any of a large variety of
nouns to be inserted in the two blanks. The nouns---names of different
groups or categories of people---can be chosen in advance, or spontaneously
suggested by the singers. Below are several possibilities:

1. AMERICANS*
    IRAQUIS** (or any other nationalities)

2. CHRISTIANS*
    MOSLEMS** (or any other religious groups)

3. BLACKS*
    WHITES** (or any other ethnic/racial groups)

4. DISABLED*
    RETARDED** (or any other groups similarly subject to stereotypes)

5. IMMIGRANTS*
    HOMELESS** (or any other groups which students hear/read about often 
    in the news which are likely "faceless masses" in their minds; most appropriate for upper-graders)

6. DOCTORS*
    WAITERS** (or any other 2 occupations)

7. PARENTS*
    CHILDREN** (or any other 2 age groups/family role groups)

8. ENEMIES---yes, ENEMIES! [paragraph 4]

Linda K. Williams is a reading specialist. She has been teaching over 27 years, and has written over hundred songs.  Thirty one of them have been studio-produced on cassettes marketed to teachers and parents for use with children. They aim to teach children moral principles, conflict resolution, and faith.

Write to the Author

*Editor's Note*

This song was originally recorded in "Caring and Capable Kids" cassette released by Innerchoice Publishing Company in 1996.  We express our gratitude to the author for allowing us to publish the lyrics of the song.