Ode to a Black Man

[Verse 1]
If you see Stevie Wonder, tell him I hear
If you hear little Stevie Wonder, tell him I see
I don't want no songs for plants, I want songs for me
I don't want no songs for plants, I want liberty
(I'm livin' in a city)

[Verse 2]
If you see the doctor, tell him he's king
(Dr. Martin Luther!)
If you see the doctor, tell him he's still king
(You too, Muhammad Ali!)
But this bad Black boy
Won't be blown away by anything
Yes, this bad Black boy
Won't be blown away by anything

[Chorus]
There are people in this town
That try to put me down
They say I don't give a damn
(Damn these people)
But the people in this town
That try to put me down
Are the people in the town
That could never understand a Black man
Don't take it no more

[Harmonica Solo]
Don't take it no more
Don't take it no more

[Chorus]
There are people in the town
That try to put me down
They say I don't give a damn, damn
But the people in the town
That try to put me down
Are the people in the town
That could never understand a Black man
Don't take it no more

[Verse 3]
If you see Robert Johnson, tell him I hear
(You too, Robert Marley, Robert Mugabe)
If you see Malcom, tell him I'm next, vexed
If you see Jimi, Jimi Hendrix
If you see my brothers, tell them it's clear
(What's happening, brother?)
I've been livin' on the wrong side, but now I hear
I've been livin' on the wrong side, but now I hear

[Outro]
Don't take it no more
Don't take it no more
Mr. Joshua Nkomo
He don't take it no more
Jomo Kenyatta, oh no
He don't take it no more
Haile Selassi, Rastafarian
Don't take it no more
Professor Longhair
Shit, he don't take it no more...