One of my all time favorite Mos Def Songs, “Umi”
Tomorrow may never come…
For you or me, Life is not promised…
Tomorrow may never show up…
For you and me…
This life is not promised
I ain’t no perfect man. I’m trying to do, the best that I can,
With what it is I have.
I ain’t no perfect man. I’m trying to do, the best that I can,
With what it is I have
Put my heart and soul into this song.
I hope you feel me.
From where I am, to wherever you are…
I mean that sincerely.
Tomorrow may never come…
For you and me…
Life is not promised…
Tomorrow may never appear…
You better hold this very moment very close to you [right now]
Very close to you [right now]
So close to you, So- close to you
[your moment in history is right now!]
Don’t be affraid, to let it shine
My Umi said shine your light on the world.
Shine your light for the world to see.
My Abi said shine your light on the world.
Shine your light for the world to see[I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free].
My Abi said shine your light on the world [Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free].
Shine your light for the world to see
[Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free].
My Umi said shine your light on the world
[Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free]
Shine your light for the world to see
[Want black people to be free, to be free…]
Sometimes I get discouraged.
I look around and, things are so weak.
People are so weak
Sometimes; Sometimes I feel like crying.
Sometimes my heart gets heavy.
Sometimes I just want to leave and fly away [fly fly fly, like a dove].
Sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself [ow!]
Passion takes over me.
I feel like a man Going insane Losing my brain…
Trying to maintain…Doing my thang.
Hey hey hey hey hey.
Put my heart and soul into this y’all.
I hope you feel me.
Where I am, to wherever you are…
Sometimes I don’t want to be bothered.
Sometimes I just want a quiet life,
with Me and my babies, me and my lady.
Sometimes I don’t want to get into no war
[Black people to be free, to be free…].
Sometimes I don’t wanna be a soldier.
Sometimes I just wanna be a man, but
Umi said shine your light on the world.
Shine your light for the world to see.
My Abi said shine your light on the world.
Shine your light for the world to see
[I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free].
My dreamers(?) said shine your light on the world
[Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free].
Shine your light for the world to see
[Want black people]My elders said shine your light on the world
[Hey hey]Shine your light for the world to see
I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free.
All my people to be free, to be free, to be free.
Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free.
Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free
That’s all that matters to me
Black people unite and let’s all get down.
Gotta have what,Gotta have that love,
Peace and understanding.
One God, one light, One man, one voice, one mic.
Black people unite come on and do it right.
Black people unite come on and do it right.
Black people unite come on and get down.
Gotta have what,Love, peace and understanding.
One God, one voice, one life, One man, gon’ shine my light
Black people unite, now hop up and do it right.
Black people unite, now come on and do it right.
Yeah baby that’s what I like.
Yeah baby that’s what I like.
Yeah baby that’s what I like…
Profound lyrics especially for these days and times ☆…