Song Description

plight of Africa's children; conveys annoyance with spoiled people who have choices and chances they take for granted when hunger and need exist on the same earth.

Lyrics

Poverty & Privilege

Melody Lewis
August 5, 2003
(remixed January 2005)
ã2003
We don’t like it
We can’t take it
We won’t do it
You can’t make us

We don’t want to
We won’t fake it
Try to force us
You won’t make it

When you walk a mile in our shoes
Or live in the skin we’re in
Only then can you say that you
Comprehend the situation

You want us to fit in a mold
So you label us “this” or “that”
You call it a syndrome
But we ain’t going out like that

You’re living high on the hill
Big homes and fancy cars
We can exist in your world
But you’d never make it in ours

The fact of the matter is
You’d never survive the trip
If you had to trade places with
Any one of our soldiers

We don’t like it
We can’t take it
We won’t do it
You can’t make us

We don’t want to
We won’t fake it
Try to force us
You won’t make it



We’re keeping our feet firm,
back straight, eyes front,
Don’t know when we’ll get our turn
But we’re keeping our heads up

As long as your eyes stay closed
in chains we all remain
agonize over your menus
we’ll keep praying for rain

You need to capture
From tears to laughter
So snap the pictures
before and after

Your mold won’t hold us
But it could trap you
You won’t forget us
We won’t let you

Chances and choices, have and have not, proverty and privilege
How much gold is that you’re wearing my brother?
Hang the equivalent around my figurative neck.
We’re not moved by size of the rooms that hold your shoes
If strength is in the numbers, how many lives have you affected?

Opportunity is for all, but none for some.
How much is paid for attention to neglect?
You fight for life, love and liberty for you and your family.
All we want is that same respect.
Just like the Godfather of Soul said:
Open up the door, you don’t have to give it to me I can get it for myself!

What will it take for you to make a stand?
You make a choice, while we take a chance!

We don’t like it
We can’t take it
We won’t do it
You can’t make us

We don’t want to
We won’t fake it
Try to force us
You won’t make it


You have choices
yet you complain because there’s not enough variety in your menu. Me and what’s left of my family will gratefully consume whatever the ground produces.

You have choices
Job stress sitting in air conditioned comfort pushing buttons and watching the clock. Trade jobs with me. Sun to sun back breaking, body aching. Everyday is take your child to work day, ‘cause they do what you do.

You have choices.
You need counseling because you have so many choices you’ve dug yourself into a rut.
Grab a shovel and help me dig a grave for my mother. Oh I know how, it was the last thing she taught me.

We want to see where the millions of dollars that have been donated to thousands of causes have changed stress into success. The tears turned into laughter. Where is the before and after?

Directors, producers, photographers win awards for capturing the wide eyed, bloated bellies of hopelessness. In their acceptance speeches they call it a

Privilege

Privilege to return home to the cheers of their peers when all they had to do was point and click. What does the subject of their gain get in exchange?

More Poverty

Playlist Creator	Playlist Name	Date Added
Signal 30	Signal 30's 4th Playlist	12/7/2016