Black Rochelle

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I wish I had the tools back then To see those fools for fools back then And stand tall enough in my own black skin When they rang the recess bell See, I was part of that cartel of kids That did that awful thing we did Locking hands in a circle and shoutin' "Hey look, it's Black Rochelle" [Verse 2] It's not like I didn't have a choice I'm as guilty as those other girls and boys With satisfaction at those silver tears As down your face they fell Didn't matter what they screamed or yelled For once it was at someone else Point a chubby light-skinned finger singin' "Hey, look at Black Rochelle" [Chorus] I never had the chance to say I'm sorry You never had the chance to tell me To go on straight to hell If I could take it back in time What a different story I could tell Oh, God bless the black of Black Rochelle [Verse 3] I've been punching bag and bully bait Familiar with how they operate A fat-ass sissy they could hate Oh, I knew the blueprint well But here my skin was lighter than Like my black ended where yours began License to join that loathsome clan To call you Black Rochelle [Chorus] I never had the chance to say I'm sorry You never had the chance to tell me To go on straight to hell If I could take it back in time What a different story I could tell Oh, God bless the black of Black Rochelle (Mmm) [Verse 4] Maybe you're a lawyer Or a pentecostal minister Supermodel, homemaker Doctor or a judge Maybe you have children Sitting 'round your kitchen table And each and every one you teach To never hold a grudge [Verse 5] Maybe you've forgotten Like the pages of a calendar Comin' fast and flippin' past Each one lookin' the same Maybe you'll recall a boy Caught up in that broken crowd For fifty years still Haunted by that name [Chorus] I never had the chance to say I'm sorry You never had the chance to tell me To go on straight to hell If I could take it back in time What a different story I could tell Oh, God bless the black of Black Rochelle