Written in 1992, this song speaks to women’s autonomy over their biological and sexual bodies and implies the sexual and gendered violence women suffer in domestic and interpersonal relationships throughout their lives. It is a powerful testament to the emotional force of song and a cappella singing...
[Unison ostinato fades in and continues throughout:]
Womb
Womb
Womb-womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
Womb-womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
Womb-womb
[Verse overlaps/Alto/Sop unison:]
Working hard all of my days for finer things in life (Womb-womb)
Happy life (Womb)
Then one peaceful night (Womb-womb)
When I went out for a walk a hand around my mouth (Womb-womb)
An intruder to the colours of my womb/(Womb)
[Unison ostinato:]
Womb-womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
Womb-womb
[Verse 2:]
I was young and did not understand the facts of life (Womb-womb)
Broken home (Womb) love was rare, and life a fight (Womb-womb)
Then I came across a young boy who would hold me tight
And leave me lonely with the colours from my womb/(Womb)
[Unison ostinato:]
Womb-womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
[Verse 3:]
Sometimes he could not tell the difference between night and day (Womb-womb)
Intoxicated days had rearranged his way (Womb-womb)
Then my father, my own father, took a turn one day (Womb-womb)
From my mother to the colours of my womb/(Womb)
[Unison ostinato:]
Womb-womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
Womb
[Verse 4:]
Now the President and all his men try to say (Womb-womb)
When I might, or when I may (Womb-womb)
Make the decisions that they set me up for anyway (Womb-womb)
Insult my mind, my rights, the issues of my womb/(Womb)
(Womb-womb)
Alto: My...
(Womb)
Soprano: My...
(Womb)
Soprano: ... womb
(Womb-womb)
Alto+Sop [whisper]: My--...
(womb)
Alto+Sop: ... womb
[Unison ostinato/fades out:]
Womb-womb
Colours was written by Yasmeen.
Colours was produced by Earthbeat Records.
Sweet Honey In The Rock released Colours on Wed Jan 01 1992.