How Black Men Lose Their Smile Songtext
von Bashy

Looking back at some pictures and
They had me thinking wow, I was
A happy child, very happy, my hair
Nappy running ′round in my nappy
Wild, beautiful skin dark chocolate
Brown, rarely riled, temperament
Mild before the age of one I
Could count, the world was home
And my Nana's house, everyone
Dancing laughing loud, there was
Encouragement all around, safe
Environment could be myself, my
Hair in plaits long as any girls, got to
School they said to take it out, that′s
How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
I was a clever child, smart, I was
Sharp as nails, more advanced than
My whole class, learning at their
Pace slowed me down, sped through


Work then would mess about, they
Should've given me extra help, but
Said I was trouble then kicked me
Out, that's How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Yeah, system set up for me to
Fail, didn′t share features with my
Teachers that has effects on your
Sense of self, that has effects on your
Mental health, lies out the colonizers
Mouth, teach us we didn′t build
Egypt, that's How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Saw young pictures of my Dad, so
Handsome, happy and proud growing
Up I just saw him frown, at the time
I couldn′t comprehend, life through
The eyes of a juvenile, I had to live I
Understand it now, Black man living
In a next man's world, that′s
How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Yeah, melanin strong so we all stand
Out, prejudice everywhere that I
Exist, feels like I live my whole life
On trial, Karen's scared weaponising
Fear phones come out and then
Police get dialed, that how little

White lies can kill, that′s
How Black Men Lose Their Smile
That's how Black men lose their life
The world has made me hate myself
I'm scared of men that look like me
Self hatred rooted so deep, him or I, I
Must protect myself, I′m going grave
Or I′m going jail, that's
How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Yeah, saw my Grandad old and frail
Face turned hard from the pain
He felt, no complaints, played the
Hand he′s dealt, told me history
It made me cry, told me his story
It made me melt, cos that's
How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Had genocide, been terrorised
Been scrutinised, been brutalised
Been ghettoised, been sexualised
Been sterilised, been plagiarised
Unrecognised, been jeopardised
Been tyrannised, been trivialised
Been stigmatised, been ostracised
Demoralised, dehumanised
Traumatised, but full of pride, hold
Me down and still I rise, world on my
Shoulder, still I thrive, by any means I
Will survive, I will try ′til the day I die
We're out here fighting for our lives
And that′s How Black
Men Lose Their Smile
That's How Black Men Lose
Their Smile
Every day is like a battle, but we'll
Overcome, when we get back in the
Saddle, faith will bring us home
Every day is like a battle, but we′ll
Overcome, when we get back in the
Saddle, faith will bring us home