Us Folks

Baby, Big Mama got a story to tell you
Sit on down and let me tell you how us folks do
Way back when I was a wee bit suckling child
Us folks didn't have no cars; we walk'd 'em miles
Nowadays us folks ride in 'spensive nice cars
Even folk's my color got Lincolns and Jaguars
Nice homes and fine clothes--that's us folks
Spending money like we rich, knowin' we broke
And folk's hair--they don't wear naps no mo'
We got perms and relaxers, s-curls and wave pro
Child, we done come a mighty mighty long ways
But some of us folks, I tell 'ya these days

They walk 'round town with they heads sky high
Living high on the hog like they too good to die
Baby let me tell you something, us folks livin' a lie
It tears a hole in my heart and makes me cry
What Medgar died for then, please tell me why

I tell ya the truth it's a crying shame
How is folks pour our story down the drain
But you my child, must be wise, healthy, strong
Big Mama ain't gon' be on this Earth too long
This world sugar is full of hatred and fear
Lest we forget how us folks got here
Baby, run and get Big Mama a cup of water
Lawd, what is to come of my darling daughter?