Reading Rap
(to M.C. Hammer’s That’s Why We Pray)
ALL: That’s why we read.
MC: We’ve got to read just to make it today.
I say we read—read.
Oh yeah we read—read.
We’ve got to read just to make it today.
That’s why we read.
All of my life I’ve wanted to make it to the top (ALL—That’s why we read).
A lawyer, doctor, singer, actor, or even a cop. (ALL)
All my teachers say there’s something that I need (ALL)
Open up your book, kid, ya gotta know how to read.
I say we read—read.
Oh yeah we read—read.
We’ve got to read just to make it today.
I say we read—read.
Oh yeah, we read—read.
We’ve got to read just to make it today.
That’s why we read!
Now if you think you can do whatever you want—(ALL).
I’m bustin’ these rhymes, makin’ this rap to say you can’t—(ALL).
Forget bein rich or even fame if you can’t read—(ALL).
My message is clear—you gotta read to succeed.
That’s why we read.
Chorus
Time and time and time and time and time again—(ALL).
I keep on talkin’ but these people just don’t listen—(ALL).
I tried and tried and tried and tried to make my way—(ALL).
But nothin’ happened til I started readin’ every day.
That why we read!
Harry Potter--(ALL).
Hobbits running from this and that—(ALL).
Readin’ about Holes or maybe giant rats—(ALL).
Pirates on the sea, or stories about kids like me—(ALL).
Open a book, open a world, what do you see?
That’s why we read!
Chorus—substitute “need to” with “got to.”
That’s why we read.
Read.—Sing for a couple of times then repeat chorus.
On a mission, starts right now, feel it go-(ALL).
Lookin’ back it’s these words we need to know
Livin’ high, livin’ good, livin’ low
Open a book, turn the page, and you’re good to go!
That’s why we read!