mama, i'm a singer

mama, i'm a singer

though i can't well hold a tune
or hold my breath through the high note

mama, i'm a singer

i sing in slow, even beats
off-key, on-rhythm
presenting to the world
what my heart says

mama, what it says could fill an ocean

an ocean, mama

an ocean full of sadness and hate and anger
for where is my equality, where is my help
where is my justice

answer, nowhere

for they didn't do a thing to daddy
when he left us and hit me blue

blue as the ocean my heart speaks
blue and black and red

a tune of hideous colours 

the tune that i sing

i shout

with a voice shrill as a dying crow

mama, i'm a singer

'cause the world never sung for me