The Pen

Singers: Zephyr Wright

The Pen Part I 2025Marc Dinkin and Kenny Dinkin

00:00 / 02:18

Singer: Tyneshia Hill

Johnson's longtime cook, Zephyr Wright, recounts how she convinced the President that legislation to protect the rights of African Americans was needed in the United States. She had once refused to drive the Johnson family Beagles (Him and Her) to the Texas ranch, explaining she would not be allowed to use the bathroom, eat or even sleep in Southern establishments. LBJ cited this story frequently when arguing for civil rights, and when he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he invited her to stand by his side and gave her the pen he used. "You deserve this more than anyone., Zephyr." But now, four years later, with Johnson's bloody war in Vietnam raging, Zephyr laments how his former glory as a champion of Civil rights has given way to his reputation as the architect of unending bloodshed.

LYRICS

Zephyr Wright:

This pen

I look at it now and then

Write a word with it now and again

Cause I’ll always remember when

He put it in my hand

when the signing was done.

Saying “Zephyr Wright,” I think you just might

Be the one who helped me see the light

You deserve this pen tonight

more than anyone.”

LBJ's Voice: I hereby sign the 1964 Civil Rights Act, HR7152.

Me- just the girl

Who made him breakfast while he was saving the world

Who laid his shoes out every night

Who saw his secrets in the morning light

Now me - just the cook!

Was my voice the thing that it took

To make him turn a new leaf in this old book

And grab this country till it shook

To make him see the girl within

to live in my shoes

...in my skin.

But now it’s 1968

And things no longer look so great

for the great LBJ

The signing seems worlds away

It’s all riots, it’s all tears, it’s been four long years

Since he gave me this pen

It’s ink has long run dry since then

I’m sorry LBJ -

But how many kids did you kill today?

The Pen ​

The Pen