[Verse 1]
Black mother, Black sister
Black American girl, you the scripture
You the reason that I even got a voice
You the one that never really had a choice
Picked cotton, picked hours, picked pain
Still cooked, still prayed, held shame
Still you stood in a field like a flag
Turned every chain to a badge, never sag
You the backbone, back row, hands raised
Still they act like you only a phrase
But I watched you work double for a dime
So I could stand here and speak my mind (yeah)
[Chorus]
For my Black girls, you the truth in the story
You the reason that this flag got glory
You gave life, gave light, gave time
So I could walk in my right, in my prime
For my Black girls, yeah, you carried this place
Took the bruise, took the blame, took the case
You gave your life, liberty for mine
Now I’m gon’ say your name every line (every line)
[Verse 2]
You the nurse in the war, no rank
You the cook in the back, no thanks
You the first in the line, last paid
You the one that still bowed and still prayed
You the march in the rain, in the dress
You the “yes ma’am” hiding your stress
You the “I got it” when you barely had it
Turned hurt into habit, turned pain into magic
From the field to the dorm to the hill
You signed checks with your sweat and your will
Every law that they write, that I read
Got blood from your feet in the ink that I see
[Chorus]
For my Black girls, you the truth in the story
You the reason that this flag got glory
You gave life, gave light, gave time
So I could walk in my right, in my prime
For my Black girls, yeah, you carried this place
Took the bruise, took the blame, took the case
You gave your life, liberty for mine
Now I’m gon’ say your name every line (every line)
[Bridge]
They say “land of the free,” who paid that fee?
Black woman with a baby on her knee
Black girl with a book on a bus seat
Black sister on the block yelling “don’t sleep” (wake up)
You the pledge that they never really spoke
You the promise that they almost let choke
But I’m here on your shoulders, I rise
Whole country sitting in your eyes
[Chorus]
For my Black girls, you the truth in the story
You the reason that this flag got glory
You gave life, gave light, gave time
So I could walk in my right, in my prime
For my Black girls, yeah, you carried this place
Took the bruise, took the blame, took the case
You gave your life, liberty for mine
Now I’m gon’ say your name every line (every line)