Race

When I go around to places and places
People always ask me what type my race is
I wish to tellim’ I don’t any time
But I knew that I must keep my dignity and pride
So I turned around and decided to approach them
Then this girl came out and shone like a purdy gem
That made me sorta panic cause’ I didn’t know what to do
I was kinda trapped under, down in the blue
But then I came right back up to the surface
Cause’ is was to prove that I had a purpose
That was to make everyone equal in what they do
So I asked this girl, “Do you trust me, do you?”
She said, “Yes,” and I said, “Why?”
She said, “Cause’ I noticed your shoelace is untied.”
I said, “What? Girl, what? What do you mean?”
She said, “Cause’ that made me think of when birds fly free.”
I said, “What? Girl, what? Do you have a purpose?”
She said, “Yes, man, yes. It happen’ b’low the surface.”

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........

She proved to me she’s ‘mong the very best
Just like me and not like the rest
We decided to go and help all mankind
We wish we could take a step back in time
But we were stuck right here right now
But we could make race change here in our town
We called up our friends and wanted to hear what they say
Apparently, they weren’t home today
We decided to take this thing on our own
Before everyone in this town started to moan
We called up a town meeting for everywhere
Cause’ everyone had some time to spare
We started at two o’clock in the afternoon
We decorate the town tan, black, and blue
It was to symbolize the race and religion
And to give the little town a little incision
We wanted to prove that we had a purpose
And that was that it happen’ b’low the surface

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........

I started with a question that startled everyone
That was “Does anyone care ‘bout anyone?”
They said “Yes!” and I said “Who?”
One man said “My mom, sister, and aunt too.”
I asked “Does anyone care ‘bout race or religion?”
No raised there hands that caused a bit intension
I will say a couple more words that they wouldn’t wanna hear
I also know that someone will wanna sneer
Now I’m gonna tell you what I said
I said “Ya’ll probably want them Negros dead
But to tell you the truth there all just fine.
There’s nothing wrong with their dignity or pride.
We’re all just normal, just different skinned.
We all don’t have a hint of sin.
We want ya’ll white-skinned to trust us.
This isn’t really bad and we don’t wanna fuss.
I called this town to say I had a purpose
And that purpose happened b’low the surface.”

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........

Then that town meeting came to an end
All of the people left around the bend
Some of the people were proud of me
But some of those people didn’t wanna see
I think that I accomplished what all of us needed
We made the town a little more seeded
Durin’ that meetin’ there were people screamin’
But some of those people were actually bleedin’
I eventually found out that there was a fight
And it was between a Negro and a white
I wanted to find out who it was
So I got some money and went to the bus
I traveled to the hospital sittin’ in my seat
Knowin’ that I could not be beat
Once I got to the hospital I walked inside
Full with my dignity and pride
A person came up to me and said “You had a purpose!”
I said “Yeah, and it happened b’low the surface.”

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........

I made it to the check-in ready to find out
Who started that fight and started to shout
They told me that the two rooms that the guys were in
I asked myself if they have any sin
I went upstairs to the second floor
And approach the first room’s big, gray door
I knocked on the door and a guy said “Come in.”
I told myself again if they have any sin
I opened the door and saw a guy
Definitely not with any pride
I asked him “What happened to you?”
He said “Why would you wanna now, you were down in the blue.”
I said “I came hear to help you in your need.”
I also asked “How did you start to bleed?”
He said “I don’t know, and I don’t care.
I really am just full with nothin’ but despair.”
I said, “I came hear to tell you I had a purpose.”
He said, “I know, it happen’ b’low the surface.”

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........

I left that room and went to the next
I didn’t know who it was but it better be the best
I made it to the room and knocked on the door
Painted on the door was a big, blue shore
A lady opened the door and let me in
I asked my self does the person have sin
When I looked in the bed I saw a purdy gem
I went over a gave her a hug and a real gem
I said “Are you alright, tell me you’ll be okay.”
She said “I don’t think (cough) I’ll be around someday.”
I asked her if she was dyin’
She said “Yes” and I started cryin’
She said “Don’t worry you just helped our town.”
Then there was no hint of sound
She said “I know you had that meetin’ ‘cause you had a purpose
And that purpose came b’low the surface”
She died right here right now today
And I only had one thing more to say and it was

I, I, know what you do and
I, I, don’t want you in the blue cause
I, I, know how you feel but
I, I, want you to notice (slight pause)
Want you to notice (slight pause)
Want you to notice (slight pause)
Me..........
Me..........
Me..........