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Cover Art

Mr. Stopnick and Emmie Lyrics by Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox

Caroline, or Change (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

2004

[MR. STOPNICK]
Yes, I know it worked just dandy
For that Indian Mr. Gandhi
But with respect for Martin Luther King—
[EMMIE]
I think it's a Negro thing
A Southern thing
A Christian thing
Mister, you don't understand
How Dr. King has got things planned
[MR. STOPNICK]
Oh, Jews can be nonviolent too
There's nothing meeker than a Jew
Listen, girlie, we have learned
Nonviolence will get you burned
[EMMIE]
No, I'm sorry, that ain't so
Listen to the radio
What we're trying's already working
Segregation's already dying
[MR. STOPNICK & ROSE]
I've been on this earth a while
Your optimism makes me smile
Good for you, you're optimistic (Papa, this is Emmiе)
But I think it ain't realistic (Emmie, this is Mr. Stopnick)
[EMMIE]
I'd like to know how you comе to feel
You know so much about what is real
Sitting safe and high and pretty
Way up north in New York City?
I'd like to know
[CAROLINE, spoken]
Emmie!
[EMMIE, spoken]
Mama
[CAROLINE, spoken]
I said quit!
[EMMIE, spoken]
He the one started it
[ROSE, spoken]
You know I was reading in the paper just the other day—
[EMMIE & MR. STOPNICK]
I'd like to know how (Is that so?)
Some guy just off a plane (Why's it so impossible to know?)
Marchin' in to explain (White or Jew or Negro)
Guess you seen it all plain (If the boss's boot's in your face)
From the air? (What do you do?)
It's our affair (Shed a tear?)
Now our resistance (Keep lying there?)
Start to make a difference (A face knows it's no footrest)
Here come your "assistance" (Regardless of religion or race!)
[CAROLINE, spoken]
Child, you hear me? Hush your mouth
Now you march that tray back into the kitchen
[MR. STOPNICK, spoken]
Oh, lady, please
Since I came South, she's my first real conversation
Let her stay
[CAROLINE, spoken]
It's past her bed
[ROSE]
It's good that she's high-spirited
[CAROLINE, spoken]
Yes'm, thank you
We'll start cleaning in the kitchen, then go home
Credits
Larry Keith

Larry Keith

Anika Noni Rose

Anika Noni Rose

Tonya Pinkins

Tonya Pinkins

Veanne Cox

Veanne Cox

About “Mr. Stopnick and Emmie” by Larry Keith

Read the complete lyrics to "Mr. Stopnick and Emmie" by Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox from the album "Caroline, or Change (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2004. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Broadway, Musicals, Pop.

"Mr. Stopnick and Emmie" is performed by Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox. from the album "Caroline, or Change (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2004 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "Mr. Stopnick and Emmie", explore more songs by Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"Mr. Stopnick and Emmie" is credited to Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"Mr. Stopnick and Emmie" appears on "Caroline, or Change (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2004.

Visit the Larry Keith, Anika Noni Rose, Tonya Pinkins, Veanne Cox artist page at /artist/larry-keith for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.