Lyrics
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
Emphasizes the universal right to express opinions.
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Expresses a fear of backlash for expressing personal views.
Everybody talking about racial equality
Addresses the widespread discussion on racial equality.
Cause everybody's equal in the good Lord's eyes
Asserts equality based on a religious perspective.
But if I told you that God was black
Poses a provocative idea about God's race.
What would you think of that
Questions the likely disbelief if God were portrayed as black.
I bet you wouldn't believe it
Anticipates skepticism or rejection of the idea.
There's a self made prophet living right next to me
Introduces a character claiming knowledge of a Black Messiah.
He said the Black Messiah's gonna come and set the whole world free
Predicts a liberating role for the Black Messiah.
He looked at me with his evil eye and prophesied
Describes the prophet's conviction with an "evil eye."
And he really believed it
Highlights the sincerity of the prophet's belief.
He said a Black Messiah is gonna set the world on fire
Reiterates the prophecy of a world-altering Black Messiah.
And he's no liar, 'cause he has truly heard the word
Affirms the prophet's credibility and faith in the message.
Everybody talking about racial equality
Revisits the theme of racial equality with a personal twist.
But I'm the only honky living on an all black street
Describes the narrator as a minority in a predominantly black neighborhood.
They knock me down 'cause they brown and I white
Illustrates racial tension and prejudice in the neighborhood.
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
Restates the right to free speech amid discussions on race.
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Reiterates the fear of repercussions for expressing personal views.
Everybody talking about racial equality
Revisits the theme of racial equality in discussions.
You hear everybody talking about equal rights
Acknowledges the prevalent talk about equal rights.
But white's white, black's black and that's that
Asserts the distinctiveness of races and advocates acceptance.
And that's the way you should leave it
Encourages leaving racial distinctions as they are.
Don't want no Black Messiah to come and set the world on fire
Rejects the idea of a Black Messiah causing turmoil.
A Black Messiah is gonna come and rule the world
Anticipates a Black Messiah rising to power.
Everybody got to show a little give and take
Advocates mutual cooperation and compromise.
Everybody got to live with a little less hate
Calls for reducing animosity and fostering understanding.
Everybody gotta work it out, we gotta sort it out
Encourages collective efforts to resolve societal issues.
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
Reaffirms the right to express personal opinions.
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Reiterates the fear of reprisal for expressing personal views.
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