Black Soldiers by Griot B Lyrics
My dad went to war and became a G.I Joe
He came home, couldn’t get the G.I Bill though
That was affirmative action
But only for the white folks
Impatiently you waited for Lincoln’s proclamation
Ending plantations in this nation
But that’s not what’s stated
On his New Year’s declaration, blatantly he said that
Only slaves in confederation are the ones emancipated
What about Cousin Joe, Mary and Kaitlyn?
Slaves on a northern Maryland plantation
Can you feel elated, when those of your relation
Are still stuck in damnation just because of their location?
You feeling agitation, it builds to aggravation
While the others celebrating some
All’s your aspiration
You’re feeling like that Haitian when he started revolution
Should be cruising, strapped and shooting
Clapping massas; Ovation
But cooks your occupation, and killer’s not your station
You roll dough and cut potatoes
You’re no Django in the making
You’re gonna need some training
Proclamation calls for black participation
54th Mass Infantry, you gonna take it?
I don’t know what you’ve been told
Black soldiers were brave and bold
Fighting for democracy overseas
But at home no justice they received
Tell me. What would you do? Put yourself in their shoes
Would you fight for a country
Who don’t even fight for you?
Would you die for some rights when yours are abused?
Would you kill for a cause that ain't yours?
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
I Played with G.I Joe, but couldn’t the have G.I Bills
That was only for the white kids
50 years ago your father was a slave it’s evident
It’s arrogant to think freedom made southerners benevolent
Cus prejudice is obviously here. It’s not the elephant
You’re hesitant to thank God, but this war is Heaven sent
Fighting in the First World War could be the precedent
That your race is relevant, more than just residents
You’re opposite of pessimist. You sign up for that regiment
Harlem Hellfighters! Black skin the only requisite
You’re loaned out to France
And you feel their so affectionate
From whites you’re not separate. You’re treated so excellent!
You start to think that Europe
Should be your new place of residence
Because looking at your skin doesn’t make people so hesitant
Fight and earn the name “Black Death.”
Killing specialist!
But only France awards your valor
They make you a medalist
German propaganda says
To switch sides in an exodus
Would you fight for country
Where racism is prevalent?
I don’t know what you’ve been told
Black soldiers were brave and bold
Fighting for democracy overseas
But at home no justice they received
Tell me. What would you do? Put yourself in their shoes
Would you fight for a country
Who don’t even fight for you?
Would you die for some rights when yours are abused?
Would you kill for a cause that ain't yours?
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
I Played with G.I Joe, but couldn’t the have G.I Bills
That was only for the white kids
It’s no wonder Kaepernick couldn’t just stand up and be quiet
He must have read about those
“Red Summer” race riots
Where black soldiers who served
Their WWI assignments
Came home to a murderous, racist, violent climate
How the Tuskegee Airmen, The world’s finest
Never lost a bomber when escorting their assignment
Protecting white pilots, flying like linemen
Then came home to see giant “White’s only” signing
54th Mass died at Fort Wag
9th and 10th Cav
They were all black and ended up dying
For a country that defied them the liberty that’s implied in
The flag that William Harvey Carney
Gave his life flying!
So while some continue griping
About a man protesting silent
I’m admiring black veterans who fought for his rights and
They are the brave. This is their home, even though
It calls them slaves in the third verse of the song
He came home, couldn’t get the G.I Bill though
That was affirmative action
But only for the white folks
Impatiently you waited for Lincoln’s proclamation
Ending plantations in this nation
But that’s not what’s stated
On his New Year’s declaration, blatantly he said that
Only slaves in confederation are the ones emancipated
What about Cousin Joe, Mary and Kaitlyn?
Slaves on a northern Maryland plantation
Can you feel elated, when those of your relation
Are still stuck in damnation just because of their location?
You feeling agitation, it builds to aggravation
While the others celebrating some
All’s your aspiration
You’re feeling like that Haitian when he started revolution
Should be cruising, strapped and shooting
Clapping massas; Ovation
But cooks your occupation, and killer’s not your station
You roll dough and cut potatoes
You’re no Django in the making
You’re gonna need some training
Proclamation calls for black participation
54th Mass Infantry, you gonna take it?
I don’t know what you’ve been told
Black soldiers were brave and bold
Fighting for democracy overseas
But at home no justice they received
Tell me. What would you do? Put yourself in their shoes
Would you fight for a country
Who don’t even fight for you?
Would you die for some rights when yours are abused?
Would you kill for a cause that ain't yours?
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
I Played with G.I Joe, but couldn’t the have G.I Bills
That was only for the white kids
50 years ago your father was a slave it’s evident
It’s arrogant to think freedom made southerners benevolent
Cus prejudice is obviously here. It’s not the elephant
You’re hesitant to thank God, but this war is Heaven sent
Fighting in the First World War could be the precedent
That your race is relevant, more than just residents
You’re opposite of pessimist. You sign up for that regiment
Harlem Hellfighters! Black skin the only requisite
You’re loaned out to France
And you feel their so affectionate
From whites you’re not separate. You’re treated so excellent!
You start to think that Europe
Should be your new place of residence
Because looking at your skin doesn’t make people so hesitant
Fight and earn the name “Black Death.”
Killing specialist!
But only France awards your valor
They make you a medalist
German propaganda says
To switch sides in an exodus
Would you fight for country
Where racism is prevalent?
I don’t know what you’ve been told
Black soldiers were brave and bold
Fighting for democracy overseas
But at home no justice they received
Tell me. What would you do? Put yourself in their shoes
Would you fight for a country
Who don’t even fight for you?
Would you die for some rights when yours are abused?
Would you kill for a cause that ain't yours?
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
Black Soldiers Salute!
I Played with G.I Joe, but couldn’t the have G.I Bills
That was only for the white kids
It’s no wonder Kaepernick couldn’t just stand up and be quiet
He must have read about those
“Red Summer” race riots
Where black soldiers who served
Their WWI assignments
Came home to a murderous, racist, violent climate
How the Tuskegee Airmen, The world’s finest
Never lost a bomber when escorting their assignment
Protecting white pilots, flying like linemen
Then came home to see giant “White’s only” signing
54th Mass died at Fort Wag
9th and 10th Cav
They were all black and ended up dying
For a country that defied them the liberty that’s implied in
The flag that William Harvey Carney
Gave his life flying!
So while some continue griping
About a man protesting silent
I’m admiring black veterans who fought for his rights and
They are the brave. This is their home, even though
It calls them slaves in the third verse of the song