Bronzeville Blues
Bronzeville Blues: A Hero's Journey through Streets of Struggle
Lyrics
Teacher asked me "what you wanna be when you grown up?"
Expressing a childhood memory of being asked about future aspirations by a teacher.
I told her with the straightest face "a power ranger"
Playfully stating a desire to become a Power Ranger as a child.
She laughed and said "you know that's not reality"
Teacher's response, emphasizing the impracticality of such dreams.
I said it has to be because my hood's in danger
Asserting the necessity for positive change in the speaker's neighborhood.
Every day, every night, flashing lights, loss of life
Describing the harsh reality of daily life, marked by violence and danger.
Shit. change the vibe yeah
Expressing a desire to change the negative atmosphere.
Every day, every night, flashing lights, loss of life yeah
Repeating the theme of daily struggles and loss of life.
Summer time but the streets are filled with cold hearts
Contrasting the summer season with the coldness of the streets.
We try to get around knowing it's a slow start
Acknowledging slow progress in trying to improve the situation.
Just a kid with dreams of being a hero
Describing the speaker's childhood dreams of being a hero.
They're marking you an easy target like a free throw
Highlighting the vulnerability of the speaker in the community.
Black palms like I fell in the dirt, yeah yeah
Symbolic imagery of stained hands, possibly reflecting struggles and hardship.
Why do boys have to hide their hurt? Yeah yeah
Questioning societal expectations for boys to conceal their emotions.
No plans on cashing out that way
Rejecting the idea of succumbing to negative outcomes.
Fingers crossed, I can make that change
Optimistically hoping for personal transformation.
Would you run away if I told you where I stay?
Pondering the potential impact of revealing one's living situation.
The whole country thinks we're dangerous
Addressing stereotypes that portray the speaker's community as dangerous.
I got too much shit to do than to try and convince you
Expressing a reluctance to waste time convincing others of their worth.
You say sorry but that ain't enough, no no
Rejecting apologies as insufficient for addressing systemic issues.
Sirens can't stop blaring when the temperatures are flaring
Connecting police sirens to escalating tensions in the environment.
Who can hear us when we're crying for help?
Questioning the responsiveness of those in power to the community's cry for help.
Yeah the people have the power but the opps are in their towers looking down on us with hands on their belts
Highlighting the power dynamic between the people and those in authority.
I can't give up on my home
Commitment to not giving up on the speaker's home despite challenges.
Sometimes I feel so alone
Expressing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
We put our hands on our hips
Suggesting a defensive posture in the face of adversity.
Police man wanna empty the clip
Describing a tense encounter with law enforcement.
Walkin walkin walkin past the waves of that LSD
Referencing a psychedelic experience, possibly symbolizing escapism.
I love Lucy and she loves me
Expressing affection for someone named Lucy.
Got time on my hands like 1, 2, 3
Indicating an abundance of free time.
I put on my cape and I fly full speed
Symbolic act of wearing a cape and flying, possibly representing empowerment.
I wonder what my teacher would think of me
Reflecting on how the speaker's ambitions might be perceived by their teacher.
That lanky lil pup from the 773, yeah
Identifying the speaker's origin as the 773 area code.
Would you run away if I told you where I stay?
Repeating the question of whether revealing the speaker's living situation would prompt someone to leave.
The whole country thinks we're dangerous
Reiterating the societal perception of danger associated with the speaker's community.
I got too much shit to do than to try and convince you
Emphasizing the speaker's focus on personal responsibilities over convincing others.
You say sorry but that ain't enough
Reiterating the inadequacy of apologies in addressing systemic issues.
Yeah yeah yeah
Concluding with affirmation, possibly expressing resilience.
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