A Fathers Fear / Mardi Gras by Adam Jones (Writer) Lyrics

[ROBERT]
I know your heart's in the right place
I know you want to help our race
But don't forget that your Black face
Is a target for hearts filled with hate

If you knew all that I've been through
This wouldn't be something you'd pursue
You don't believe, so let me tell you
You don't recall, let me remind you

[QUINCY]
Father, stop
I know the stories
I've heard them since I was a child
You know there's nothing that could break my smile
To get back to where I'm from
It means the world to me
I have to go
Even if you disagree
[ROBERT]
I shoulda known I couldn't stop you
No matter how, how much I want to
So please be safe, my only child
I've taught you everything you need
To keep yourself alive and breathing

[QUINCY]
So this is Mardi Gras
All the music and food
Gives me a positive attitude
Can't help but be in a good mood

But on a closer look
Something doesn't feel right
Just black and white, no gray in sight
And black has different rules than white

It's not too different from home
But there it's not overt and loud
Hidden underneath the shroud
The inequality is just danced around

I guess it's one and the same
Down here and back home
I don't really know which version is worse
The cops in the North
The Klan in the South
(spoken)
I guess I'll find out soon enough