Blackman

Lyrics

[Intro: James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni] A lot of people don't realize that; they think that we are God's responsibility, but there's one of him and what-thirty million of us? That's right, and God's only hope is us. If we don't make it, he ain't going to make it either ... Baby, what we did with Jesus was not supposed to happen I believe that We made him ours [Refrain: D.Lylez] Our savior, we honor [Verse 1: Rhymefest] I used to think of holidays like lullabies Singing kids to sleep, way before Spotify Spending all my cash on some presents: "Why should I... Even celebrate?" "Boy, look, you made your mama cry" Will you kill the vibe? That's emotional homicide When you kill the spirit in your people, they be traumatized When the lights glow, and you see the colors harmonize Think about the story of the son that is prophesied The Bible's a good book, I give it a ten The hero died and came back in the end Word, Bethlehem was trapping them in That reminded me of me and my friends A lot of men be trying to pretend like we don't sin That's when the Devil getcha again I don't know if Ye is a clone or if they got him a twin That ain't the homie I knew from way, way back when And I ain't the man that I was from way, way back then So when they all in my DM's talking about "save your friend" Imagine tryna Mandela not to go to the pen Imagine tryna to Malcom bow-ties ain't it Imagine tryna Jesus not to die for your sins Imagine leaning on the truth when it always bends When it always bends Imagine leaning on the truth when it always bends That's how it is and it's always been I'm a healer and I've always been I can't help you live forever though, it always ends If your son marry my daughter, hey, hey black man We'll give Mississippi some water, yeah, they my friends Bring the Haitians cross the border, yeah, they my kin When I die, I know Imma be in their top ten But I'm alive Black man, black man Black man, black man Black man, black man I survive Black man, black man Black man, black man Black man, black manman We arrived Black man, black man Black man, black man Black man, black man [Refrain: D.Lylez] Our savior, we honor [Interlude: James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni] I never wanted to be the most moral person in the world I agree, I know what you- I would like- I would sell my soul- You know what I mean? What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? The world! You know what I mean? The world. That's what it profits him I know So you take the soul-something that's spiritual. Take the world but give me Jesus Yes, yes You can have Jesus but give me the world [Verse 2: C-Red] We all need grace like Jehovah's eyes for Noah Sacrifice is knowing your price ain't got a total As I get older, I see the value of my composure Sleeping light, sleepless nights, it's light, pick up your shoulders [?] on serpents, but my patience can't get cobra? Tryna see their souls and walk the line and meeting quotas Compassionately waning, ventilation 'til we choke up Sleeping light, sleepless nights, just thankful that I woke up I know hubby tot up for the stress when I ain't home But lead my call in life, respect my vessel like his own Grandma gave advice that I recite just like a song Blood of Christ inspires every knife inside my palm The most important color is the one beneath your skin Second, Adam came and gathered [?] your sins Blacker faces seemed to think you couldn't seize them wins Black man, black man, I am my brother's keeper then As long as I'm able-bodied, I'm offering my best Though I know that God able-bodied Then we came from [?] the Savior's behavior copy Sometimes, being blessed, we forget and it makes us cocky The weakness of our flesh Ya'll know the pressure to be needed on your best To watch the family gasp and reflex [?] Hear the heart stop breathing, stethoscope still on they chest Document the cause of death and you got nothing left Tried indifference as a means to calm my stress And I write down verses when I need to convalesce I know a god that I can please, but not impress Black man, black man, you the reason I exist [Outro:James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni] What you have to do is make it possible for others to live. That's the only reason to be here. Who needs the rest of it, really? It's so weird, though. It's so counter-productive ... Not me, I'm very pessimistic Oh no, you're not as pessimistic as you think you are. You've got far to much energy to be as pessimistic as you think you are I'm pretty pessimistic, though No, I think you're pretty realistic. I think you're pretty cool. I think you're pretty clear