Ain't That Bad?

Dancin’ the funky chicken Eatin’ ribs and tips Diggin’ all the latest sounds And drinkin’ gin in sips. Puttin’ down that do-rag Tightenin’ up my ‘fro Wrappin’ up in Blackness Don't I shine and glow? Hearin’ Stevie Wonder Cookin’ beans and rice Goin’ to the opera Checkin’ out Leontyne Price. Get down, Jesse Jackson Dance on, Alvin Ailey Talk, Miss Barbara Jordan Groove, Miss Pearlie Bailey. Now ain't they bad? An’ ain't they Black? An’ ain't they Black? An’ ain't they bad? An’ ain't they bad? An’ ain't they Black? An’ ain't they fine? Black like the hour of the night When your love turns and wriggles close to your side Black as the earth which has given birth To nations, and when all else is gone will abide. Bad as the storm that leaps raging from the heavens Bringing the welcome rain Bad as the sun burning orange hot at midday Lifting the waters again. Arthur Ashe on the tennis court Mohammed Ali in the ring André Watts and Andrew Young Black men doing their thing. Dressing in purples and pinks and greens Exotic as rum and Cokes Living our lives with flash and style Ain't we colorful folks? Now ain't we bad? An’ ain't we Black? An’ ain't we Black? An’ ain't we bad? An’ ain't we bad? An’ ain't we Black? An’ ain't we fine?