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
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