Over Alameda - Justin Townes Earle

Mama’d tell me of her hopes

And what she hoped to leave behind

And what she thought that she would find

Out in California

She’d talk about Mississippi

I still don’t know how it

If any place could be worse than this

It’s hard to believe

She’s say, «Baby, if I could

«Y'know I’d buy us a home

«Over Alameda

«Where the green grass grows»

Now when she left the Delta

It was 1966

Come to Los Angeles

She was nine years old

And there was work to be had

Grandaddy worked at Firestone

Made enough to buy a home

Out on Wilmington Avenue

Then the jobs moved out

Grandaddy died and we lost the house

Moved into the Jordan Downs

And been here ever since

Mama’d say there’s something better

I’d say I know that there is

Over Alameda

Where the white folks live

So 97th and Laurel

It’s all I’ve ever known

I’m nineteen years old

Just yesterday

And what I have seen

All I’ve discovered

Is there’s nothing for a boy of color

But to fight

And I’ll keep on fighting

'Cause they ain’t licked me yet

Going over Alameda

Like Mama said