Smiling Black Faces -

I see slow genocide

Bodies strung like tanning hides

Oh and the fly covered babys

And in the mirror love

I see another sun

I will try hard to smile back at me

It’s no burnt cork affair

It’s no undue despair

I know a joy that’s mocked

And I know a grief

I know a slave name

And I know a cold shame!

And I know I cried in disbelief!

And I see a porno star

Loaded on alcohol

I see a rolling stone

And I see a creep

Coming to on my knees

Empty hands full of all I will keep!

Smiling black faces

Can anyone see?

Is anything radical in wantin' to be?

And on his wedding day

They took Sean Bell away

Cops let their bullets spray

In the same city where I am a man

And when the gavel fell

Over that bloody hell

Everyone walked away

No one even got canned!

This nation’s compromised

Just shrugged and turned its eyes

Some maybe shook their heads and muttered

«What a shame…»

But his body’s

My body’s

Your bodies could die in pain!!!

Smiling black faces

Is anyone free?

Is anything radical in wantin' to be?

But I see love breaking through

Right through the face of cool

Time to heed Nelson’s call

Not to let self stay small

Know we can conquor all of this bullshit if we know where we stand

Square on the side of love

Know how to arm a dove

I know I want to sing, so I know I can

And if there are joys to come

If there is movin' on

If there is love abounding let it sustain

Oh coo coo brown babe

Black baby with my last name!

And I can see Smiling Black Faces!

I can see Smiling Black Faces!

I can see Shining Black Faces!

Keepin their teeth

Sayin fuck grief

What a release!