Is It Because I'm Black

The dark-brown shade of my skin
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Oh, is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black uh huh
In this world of no pity
I was raised in the ghetto city
You said, momma, she worked so hard
To earn every penny
Oh, Lord, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Like a child stealing his first piece of candy, and got caught
Thieving around life's corner somewhere I got lost
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me what can I do
Will I survive, or will I die?
Oh, it keeps on holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
The dark-brown shades of my skin
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bone
That rocks my soul, oh, Lord!
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
I wonder, is it because I'm black?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
Oh, it keeps on holding me back
Is it because I'm black?
The dark-brown shades of my skin
Only adds color to my tears
That splash against my hollow bones
That rocks my soul
Looking back at my false dreams that I once knew
Wondering why all my dreams never came true
Is it because I'm black?
Somebody tell me, what can I do?
Oh, something's holding me back
Is it because I'm black?