Elaine Brown [Interlude] lyrics

Okay, can I do one more? It's really quick. So he said, "Blow Black Mother, Black Mother." He always announce the title and say, "Black Mother." This is rap, this is hip hop, this is all that, from the street. Poetry from the street.

Black Mother, I must confess that I still breathe

Though you are not yet free

What could justify my crying start

Forgive my coward's heart

But blame me not the sheepish me

For I be sleeping in a deep, deep sleep

And I be hazed and dazed

And vipers vester in my hair

Black Mother, I curse your drudging years

The rapes and heart ache, sweat, and tears

But I swear I'll seize night's dark and gloom

A rose I'll wear to honor you

And when I fall, a rose in hand

You will be free and I a man

For slave of natural death who dies

Canʼt balance out two dead flies

I'd rather be without the shame

A bullet lodged within my brain

Black Mother

• Artist:Alicia Keys
• Album:HERE (2016)