QUARANTINE LIFE: OLD AMERICANA

Streetlights on, mothers cried

Your butt better be inside

Midnight came; anthem played

TV off; white noise remained

Sagging pants meant you were poor

D's meant you don't play no more

In the car--no belt, no seat, 

"Wait right here" in cold and heat

Played outside, rode buses too

Ain't nobody bother you

We are the old Americana

Can't always do what you wanna

Raised on racism and drama

We are the old Americana

Heard, "Gotta be twice as good"

Aim is to get out the hood

Wanna live where others live

Can't get loans that others give

Answer was to hit the books

Dressed up; still got dirty looks

Church seemed like the only place 

Where your gift would be embraced

We are the old Americana

Can't always do what you wanna

Raised on racism and drama

We are the old Americana

Command the language--"You sound white" 

Shunned for trying to get it right

Wear your 'fro--must be a stunt

Wear it straight-- you tryin' to front

Act a fool--keepin' it real

Fail in school and seal the deal

Did too well--"They had to cheat"

"What's Goin' On" on repeat

We are the old Americana

Can't always do what you wanna

Raised on racism and drama

We are the old Americana

VRWc2020