All Jokes Aside

I don't wanna be the oppressor
And I don't wanna be oppressed
Sometimes I feel depression
But I'm not gonna be depressed

I'm not searchin' for utopia
But I could live without the stress
Still have the King in Ethiopia
For by Ja rule we have been blessed

(chorus)
All jokes aside
We've been taken for a ride
All jokes aside
Gonna cross that great divide

Some feel their money and possessions
Command superior intellect
Or that the poor can't make decisions
Because they're lazy or inept

These are such gross misconceptions
That so many readily accept
But in life you must learn many lessons
Mostly, to love and to respect

(chorus)
All jokes aside
We've been taken for a ride
All jokes aside
Put away the foolish pride

I didn't know how much I loved you
Until I had left
Society upon our shoulders
Is causing us to drift apart

Thought I was below or above you
I didn't know how to close the rift
Now that I really want to hold you
You might cry, please don't be deaf

I'm singing'

(chorus)
All jokes aside
We've been taken for a ride
All jokes aside
Ja love forever guide

400 years down in (eye)Egypt
400 years down in (huh?)
400 years we sat down and waited
By the rivers of Babylon

Under the shade of the Almighty
Under the wings of Ja we trust
Giving praises day and nightly
And thanks to the goodness of Ja love

(chorus)
Oh, why e why
Oh, why e why
Oh why e why
We've been taken for ride