An exemplar for the modern-day ballad assignment on the theme of education.

1. “I was walking down Georgia”by Mr. K<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />Just minding my own bee,<br />When I saw my man ‘Zell,<br />He was staring at me.<br />“Yo!” said the young man,<br />“Mr. K, how are you?”<br />I responded, “What’s Gucci?”<br />And he replied, “What’s true?”<br />“In the schoolhouse must you be,”<br />Said I with some ire,<br />“No way in hell!” said ‘Zell,<br />“I’d rather set that place on fire!”<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />This response came as a shock,<br />One of my students blaspheming,<br />So I stopped and took stock:<br />“Young ‘Zell, you real cool,<br />But have so much to learn.<br />The schoolhouse is not something,<br />That you should want to burn.<br />“Books are like babies,<br />Remember, that’s the truth.<br />Treat them with respect,<br />They’re magical—poof!”<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />And spoken had I,<br />To one of my young learners,<br />Who was usually rather sly.<br />‘Zell gave me a second stare,<br />A smirk, and a smile,<br />“Yeah I agree—<br />I haven’t been to school in a while.<br />“So go will I,<br />To the schoolhouse steps,<br />To learn about ballads,<br />And epic poems, in-depth.”<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />And was filled with glee,<br />‘Zell was changed—<br />A learned man was he!<br />“I applaud your decision,”<br />Said I with a grin,<br />“Just work hard and stay focused—<br />I’m positive, you’ll win.”<br />“Mr. K, O wise teach,<br />You getting me guh!<br />You ‘cising me dogg,<br />But what you say is fun…<br />…ny,” said ‘Zell with his dreads<br />Covering his face,<br />A little tough love, thought I,<br />Had put ‘Zell back on pace.<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />What a beautiful street!<br />One chance encounter,<br />And a student retreats<br />From his wayward path,<br />And back onto the Right,<br />Learned a lesson had he,<br />He had seen the light.<br />So he pulled up his baggy<br />Jeans, doffed his cap,<br />And sauntered over yonder,<br />while reciting his new rap:<br />“I was walking down Georgia,<br />And a teacher I noticed,<br />A true scholar I’ll become,<br />Like magic—hocus pocus!”<br />I was walking down Georgia,<br />To myself I thought again,<br />This teaching thing is special,<br />Who’ll be next, then?<br />