No Mirrors in My Nana’s House, a Singable Picture Book
Posted on: February 23, 2013
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No Mirrors in My Nana’s House
Words and Music by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Illustrated by Synthia Staint James
Book includes CD with recording of Sweet Honey in the Rock singing the song.
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Storyline Online video reading:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAG1j_Z850E
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Storyline Online activities and info page:
http://www.storylineonline.net/nomirrors/story.swf
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Video with song as sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock, here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD57KULeIgg
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NO MIRRORS IN MY NANA’S HOUSE
Words and Music by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Link to the lyrics on Dr. Barnwell’s website:
There were no mirrors in my Nana’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
There were no mirrors in my Na’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
And the beauty that I saw in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
I never knew that my skin was too black.
I never knew that my nose was too flat.
I never knew that my clothes didn’t fit.
I never knew there were things that I’d missed,
cause the beauty in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun);
…was in her eyes.
There were no mirrors in my Nana’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
And the beauty that I saw in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
I was intrigued by the cracks in the walls.
I tasted, with joy, the dust that would fall.
The noise in the hallway was music to me.
The trash and the rubbish just cushioned my feet.
And the beauty in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
…was in her eyes.
There were no mirrors in my Nana’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
And the beauty that I saw in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
The world outside was a magical place.
I only knew love.
I never knew hate,
and the beauty in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
…was in her eyes.
There were no mirrors in my Nana’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
There were no mirrors in my Nana’s house,
no mirrors in my Nana’s house.
And the beauty that I saw in everything
was in her eyes (like the rising of the sun).
“Chil’, look deep into my eyes.”
“Chil’, look deep into my eyes.”
“Chil’…”
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Related Posts
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AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
A list of Singable Picture Books that celebrate February is African American History Month
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/singable-picture-books-celebrating-african-american-history-month/
