Blues

Mmm. Mmm.
Look up, children. Look up.
Same stars they followed. Still pouring.

Woke up this morning, whole ocean sitting on my chest
I said I woke up this morning, whole ocean sitting on my chest
Then I heard my grandmother humming, and the water let me rest

They sold my people's hands, but they could not sell the song
Lord, they sold my people's hands, but they could not sell the song
We braided seed into our hair, and we carried it along

Drink from the gourd (drink it down)
Same stars pouring on this ground (on this ground)
Ain't no sorrow older than the joy we know (joy we know)
Drink from the gourd, children, let it grow (let it grow)

From Accra to Port-au-Prince, Bahia, Oakland town
I said Accra to Port-au-Prince, Bahia, Oakland town
Same hum in every kitchen, same greens cooking down

High John came laughing when there wasn't much to laugh about
Yes, High John came laughing when there wasn't much to laugh about
Planted joy down like a root, and the devil couldn't dig it out


Put your hands in the soil (yes, Lord)
Lay your body down a while (yes, Lord)
Every tear our people cried (they cried)
Came back as rain on the sweet potato vine
Oh, we're healing (we're healing)
And we're laughing while we heal (laughing while we heal)
Oh, we're healing (we're healing)
And the joy is how we heal
Final chorus (choir carries it, lead ad-libs over the top)
Outro (spoken, beat thinning out)
Look up. Same stars.
They followed it out.
We're following it home.
Drink from the gourd.