been beat down and broken

then rose to the top

been beat down and broken some more

my head it is achin’

my soul can’t shine through

been beat down and broken 

            life’s war

 

I slaved in your kitchens

and swept up your halls

I done all you asked for

            and more

 

how can I move forward?

how can I get up?

us slaves know your whips

            we is poor

 

who knows where I came from?

who knows who I am?

who knows how I got to your door?

 

I done what you wanted

never thought I’d get out

till Lincoln appeared on the shore

 

been beat down and broken

then rose to the top

been beat down and broken some more

my head it is achin’

my soul can’t shine through

been beat down and broken

            life’s war

 

so freedom it beckoned

I walked through that door

tomorrow done called to my soul

 

the future cracked open

Mr. Lincoln he said

to live life without chains

            evermore

​

I tried to find work

I know what it takes

but no one can see

            past this skin

 

I’ve got two hungry kids

needs somewhere to sleep

all I sees is the slammin’ of doors

 

send me back to the kitchen

and tell me to do

whatever will buy me some food

 

I ain’t askin’ a lot

I ain’t askin’ for too much

just some eat and some sleep

for my brood

 

you white folks

don’t see me

don’t see me at all

just a slave stole away

nothin’ more

 

you all calls this freedom

but the vision I sees

ain’t no better than life

            was before

 

been beat down and broken

then rose to the top

been beat down and broken some more

my head it is achin’

my soul can’t shine through

been beat down and broken

            life’s war

 

who knows if the angels

can see me at all?

who knows

if it’s worth livin’ for?

 

who knows why I trudge on?

who knows why this life?

should I push on or fall to the floor?

​

now a black man’s

in the White House

and I’s got the blues

 

had some money

they took it away

golden visions have faded

I gets who I am

back longing with hardship

            worn shoes

 

I wants to feel angry

but that ain’t the word

cause anger’s the cousin of hope

 

and I ain’t got nothin’

but yesterday’s rage

a sunset of wishes and dope

 

Lincoln, Obama, Jesse Jackson, and King

they all tried to help me to cope

I walks down this alley of rats and spilled trash

I’s hangin’ – so throw me a rope

 

You says that you’ll help me

I heard that before

as a slave to your needs

as a whore

 

Now you tells me I’m free

you pretend to give somethin’

it’s whitewashes

in hopeless no mores

 

been beat down and broken

then rose to the top

been beat down and broken some more

my head it is achin’

my soul can’t shine through

been beat down and broken

              life’s war