BLOOD IN THE INK — “PEOPLE’S CHOIR”

VERSE 5 — REVOLUTION / SURVIVAL I come from where the sirens made the babies light sleepers, Where the corner had philosophers, hustlers and dreamers. Grandma kept the Bible open right beside the overdue, Told me, “Faith without the work ain’t gon’ do the work for you.” So I worked. With the weight of the block on my shoulder, Had a young man’s rage but the soul of a soldier. I seen brothers lose years for mistakes made at twenty, While another man steal millions and still leave with plenty. Tell me justice got a price, who exactly set the rate? Why the poor gotta be perfect just to get a little grace? I ain’t asking for a throne, I’m demanding us a table, Where a child’s ZIP code don’t decide what they’re able. Still I love this country enough to challenge what is wrong, Love my people enough to put their struggle in a song. And if truth make ’em nervous, let the nervousness remain— Ain’t no healing in pretending you ain’t bleeding from the pain.