Story Of My Father - Abbey Lincoln

Do we kill ourselves on purpose?

Is destruction all our own?

Are we dying for a reason?

Is our misery all our own?

Are the people suicidal?

Did we come this far to die?

Of ourselves are we to perish?

For this useless, worthless lie?

My father had a kingdom

My father wore a crown

They said he was an awful man

He tried to live it down

My father built us houses

And he kept his folks inside

His images were stolen

And his beauty was denied.

My brothers are unhappy

And my sisters they are too

And my mother cries for glory

And my father stands accused.

My father, yes my father

Was a brave and skillful man

And he led and served his people

With the magic of his hand.

My father, yes my father

His soul was sorely tried

'cause his images were stolen

And his beauty was denied.

Sometimes the river’s calling

And sometimes the shadows fall

That’s when he’s like a mountain

That is in master over all.

This story of my father

Is the one i tell and give

It’s the power and the glory

Of the life i make and live

My father has a kingdom

My father wears a crown

And he lives within the people

And the lives he handed down

My father has a kingdom

My father wears a crown

And through the spirit of my mother, lord

The crown was handed down.

(musical interlude)

Well sometimes the rivers callin'

And sometimes the shadows fall

That’s when he’s like a mountain

That’s a master over all.

My father has a kingdom

My father wears a crown

And he lives within the people

And the lives he handed down

My father has a kingdom

My father wears a crown

Through the spirit of my mother, lord

The crown was handed down

Through the spirit of my mother

The crown was handed down

Through the spirit of my mother, lord

The crown was handed down!