Over Alameda
Dreams Beyond the Delta
Lyrics
Mama'd tell me of her hopes
Mama shares her aspirations with the speaker
What she hoped to leave behind
Her desires for a legacy
And what she thought that she would find
Anticipation of what she expected in California
Out in California
Reference to California as a place of potential
She'd talk about Mississippi
Mention of Mississippi, expressing uncertainty about it
Still don't know how it is
Questioning how any place could be worse than their current situation
Any place could be worse than this
Doubt about the possibility of a worse place
It's hard to believe
Reflecting on the difficulty of belief
She'd say, "Baby, if I could
Mama's hypothetical desire to buy a home
"You know I'd buy us a home
Expressing Mama's willingness to improve their situation
Over Alameda
Reference to a location, "Over Alameda"
Where the green grass grows"
Describing a desirable place with green grass
Now when she left the Delta
Narrative shift to Mama leaving the Delta in 1966
It was 1966
Specific year of Mama's departure
Come to Los Angeles
Arrival in Los Angeles
She was nine years old
Mama's age at the time of relocation
And there was work to be had
Availability of work in Los Angeles
Grandaddy worked at Firestone
Grandaddy's employment at Firestone
Made enough to buy a home
Financial success leading to home purchase
Out on Wilmington Avenue
Location of the purchased home on Wilmington Avenue
Then the jobs moved out
Shift in circumstances as jobs move away
Grandaddy died and we lost the house
Grandaddy's death and loss of the house
Moved into the Jordan Downs
Relocation to Jordan Downs
Been here ever since
Current residence since then
Mama'd say there's somethings better
Mama's belief in better opportunities elsewhere
I'd say I know that there is
Speaker's acknowledgment of potential improvement
Over Alameda
Reiteration of the desired location, "Over Alameda"
Where the white folks live
Reference to where affluent individuals live
97th and Lowell
Specific location, 97th and Lowell
It's all I've ever known
Speaker's limited experience and age
I'm nineteen years old
Confirmation of the speaker's age
Just yesterday
Reflecting on the passage of time
From what I have seen
Speaker's observations and experiences
All I've discovered
Recognition of personal discoveries
Is there's nothing for a boy of color
Commentary on limited opportunities for a person of color
But to fight
The necessity for the speaker to fight against adversity
And I'l keep on fighting
Determination to continue the struggle
'Cause they ain't worked me yet
Assertion that efforts have not been in vain
Going over Alameda
Mention of going "Over Alameda" as Mama suggested
Like Mama said
Confirmation of adherence to Mama's advice
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