A FlipSide Production

Instinctively I push forward as others retreat
The gift of ancestors that never knew the meaning of defeat
The curse of never seeing life from the drivers seat
It's easier when blessed with a down home beat
I can hear the train whistle riding the track through southern towns and sweaty brows
Through 90% humidity
And 100% humility
Head down as I head downtown
Chest swells tho cuz my time is coming
But I don't want to forget these
American blues.

I choose to uplift cuz I have that choice
I demand to speak cuz I'm allowed that voice
Things are better cuz the floor is
No longer the ceiling
Once couldn't go inside now I can own the building
I take pride in the fact
Their blues were better than mine
Deeper, darker maybe less refined
Cuz it was played with far less sunshine
So I'm honored to call those ancestors mine
But I don't wanna forget these american blues...

We've come so far
Yet still so far to go
Making strides in reality
Not just for show
Lynchings down to an all time low
So we're showing progress
Even if it is slow
My best friend is white
My daughter's nana is too
I don't think that was even possible in 1962
Not in america
Land of the free
Oh say can you see
The deep roots of hypocrisy
In these American blues

Hypocrisy that digs at my people
From core to fingertips
Through scarred backs to bloodied lips
To societal appropriation and overly sexualized hips
We come so far
Yet the journey is ongoing
Like the Nile of old our river stays overflowing
With the cool they covet
But can never quite get
It’s why they hate so much
It’s why they can’t touch
This sacred fire
No matter their desire
Melanin I guess it’s not required but needed to get it poppin’
We ain’t never stoppin’
We just keep droppin’ buckets
Maybe it’s the shoes but …


That's why I can't forget these american blues

I can’t forget these American blues.