Born Dead
Mississippi's Silent Cry
Lyrics
Lord why was I born in Mississippi,
Expressing a questioning and lamenting tone about the speaker's birthplace, Mississippi.
When it's so hard to get ahead
Highlighting the challenges and difficulties faced in trying to succeed or make progress.
Why was I born in Mississippi,
Reiteration of the questioning and lamenting tone regarding being born in Mississippi.
When it's so hard to get ahead
Re-emphasizing the hardships associated with trying to advance in Mississippi.
Every black child born in Mississippi
Addressing the struggles faced by every African American child born in Mississippi.
You know the poor child is born dead
Metaphorically expressing that the challenges are so severe that the child is metaphorically "born dead," suggesting a lack of opportunities.
When he came into the world
Describing the birth of the black child, introducing the theme of life's difficulties.
The doctor spank him, the black baby cry
Depicting the typical scene of a newborn being spanked by the doctor, with the cry symbolizing the beginning of a tough life.
When he came into the world
Continuation of the birth scene, highlighting the harsh reality of the black baby's entry into the world.
The doctor spank him, the black baby cry
Reiteration of the cry, emphasizing the challenges and hardships faced by the black baby.
Everybody thought he had a life
Contrast between the initial belief in the baby's potential for life and the tragic outcome.
And that's why the black baby died
Suggesting that societal perceptions contribute to the premature demise of the black baby.
He will never speak his language
Highlighting the cultural and linguistic suppression experienced by the black child.
The poor baby will never speak his mind
Emphasizing the suppression of the black baby's thoughts and opinions due to societal constraints.
Lord he will never speak his language
Repetition of the idea that the black child won't have the opportunity to express their identity through language.
The poor baby will never speak his mind
Reiteration of the limitations on the black baby's ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas.
The poor child will never know his mind
Highlighting the overall deprivation of the black child's identity and expression.
Why in the world he's so poor
Pondering the reasons for the black child's poverty and lack of opportunities.
Lord why was I born in Mississippi
Repetition of the initial questioning and lamentation about being born in Mississippi.
When it's so hard to get ahead
Reiteration of the challenges and difficulties associated with trying to succeed in Mississippi.
Lord why was I born in Mississippi
Restating the questioning and lamenting tone regarding the speaker's birthplace.
When it's so hard to get ahead
Re-emphasizing the hardships and obstacles faced in trying to make progress in Mississippi.
Every black child born in Mississippi
Reiteration of the struggles faced by every black child born in Mississippi.
You know the poor child was born dead
Re-emphasizing the metaphorical notion that the poor child born in Mississippi is born dead due to the overwhelming challenges.
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