ARNA BONTEMPS

Southern MansionPoplars are standing there still as

deathand ghosts of dead menmeet their ladies walkingtwo by two beneath the shadeand standing on the marble

steps. Thereis a sound of music echoingthrough the open doorand in the field there isanother sound tinkling in the cotton:chains of bondsmen dragging on the

ground The years go back with an iron clank,a hand is on the gate,a dry leaf trembles on the wall.Ghosts are walking.They have broken roses downand poplars stand there still as death.

ReconnaissanceAfter the cloud embankments,the lamentation of windand the starry descent into time,we came to the flashing waters

and shaded our eyes from the glare.

Alone with the shore and the harbor,

the stems of the cocoanut trees,the fronds of silence and hushed

music,we cried for the new revelationand waited for miracles to rise.Where elements touch and

merge,where shadows swoon like

outcasts on the sandand the tried moment waits, its

courage gone—there were wein latitudes where storms are born

INTO BONDAGE

Aaron Douglas, 1936

Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)

Some will learn; many do.Cover up or spread it out.Turn around, had enough,

Pick and choose or pass it on.Buying in, heading for

Suffer now or suffer then.It's bad enough

I want the fear... need the fear 

[Pre-Chorus]Cause he's alone (he has

become)He's alone (he has become)

[Chorus:]Well if they're making it, making

itThen they're pushing it, pushing

itAnd they're leading us along

The hassle of all the screaming fitsThat panic makes remorse

 After all, what's the point?

Course levitation is possible.If you're a fly; achieved and gone

Theres time for this and so much more.It's typical - create a world

A special place of my designTo never cope or never care just use the key

 [Pre-Chorus]

Cause he's alone (he has become)He's alone (he has become)

 

Vitamin R (Leading Us

Along)

[Chorus]Well if they're making

it, making itThen they're pushing

it, pushing itAnd they're leading us

along

 Over and Over a slave

BecameOver and Over a slave

BecameOver and Over a slave

BecameOver and Over a slave

Became 

[Chorus x2]