black blues in america flat

Each day the sun yawned

I tried to be a good American

Oh, each day the sun yawned

I tried to be a good American

Dey gotta a noose aroun' my soul

Can't they see the flag in this hand

America would love me

If I straightened my hair

Oh America say she love me,

So, I straightened my hair

Still won't stand close enough to touch

‘Cause the skin I'm in, ain't that fair

Dance to the beat

Step in star-spangled time

You gotta dance to the beat

I say, step in star-spangled time

Did a shuffle on sore feet

Why y'all actin' like I committed a crime

Lumps runnin' ‘cross my head

From bumpin' on the glass ceiling

Oh, I got lumps bleedin' ‘cross my head

From bumpin' on the glass ceiling

Mind tired and soul caught in limbo

Negroes grinnin' and schemin', I'm leaving

I did the breast stroke in a bottle

Can't feel today tomorrow is numb

I did the breast stroke down in a bottle

Can't feel today tomorrow is numb

Somebody throw the coroner's cover

The river's bottom sure to come

Tired of living life inside exclusion

Need to find truth and sojourn on

Tired of living life inside exclusion

Need to find truth and sojourn on

This life will leave you in pieces

The Black man's burden heavy as a ton

Now the Afrikan looking from inside

Is alright wid' me

Don't you know the Afrikan looking from inside

Is alright wid' me

Tried too long to be this perfect citizen

Can't get freer lovin' who you meant to be