"I Wasn't Surprised" (Kristin Lems)
I Wasn't Surprised
(Kristin Lems)
January 19, 2005
words and music by Kristin Lems c 2005
This song is dedicated to the families of two black college students slain at Jackson State University, one week after the slaying of four white students at Kent State university in 1970. Written in 1975, the song is an early attempt to address the many double standards of racism.
1. When our towns were in flame and yet we got the blame I wasn't surprised When police stormed the streets and no one came to our needs I wasn't surprised
Well it wasn't our last and it wasn't our first My people are killed even right in our church And maybe I'm wise from too many cries But I wasn't surprised.
2. When they shot Fred and Mark as they slept in the dark, I wasn't surprised When the commission contends it was in "self defense," I wasn't surprised Well it wasn't our last and it wasn't our first My people are killed in their sleep, in the church And maybe I'm wise from hearing his cries, But I wasn't surprised.
3. In a Southern jail cell, a guard gave a girl hell, and I wasn't surprised She fought back and defied, became an outlaw statewide And I wasn't surprised Well it wasn't our last and it wasn't our first My people are killed in the prisons and church And maybe I'm wise from too many cries But I wasn't surprised.
4. Well right down the block, a young boy picked a lock And I wasn't surprised The police shot him dead, he was hungry, how he bled! I wasn't surprised It wasn't our last and it wasn't our first My people are killed down the block, in the church And maybe I'm wise from hearing his cries But I wasn't surprised.
5. When they shot down my son, nothing wrong had he done I wasn't surprised He was walking to class 'cross the Jackson State grass And I wasn't surprised Well it wasn't our first and it wasn't our last My family is killed even crossing the grass And maybe I'm wise from hearing his cries But I wasn't surprised.
6. I've seen your children fall and I grieve for you all, But I wasn't surprised. I have known all along that they're mean and they're strong, So don't be surprised Well it wasn't your last, it was only your first - The day will come round that they'll kill you in church And maybe I'm wise from too many lies But I wasn't surprised.
7. Well I'm bitter as hell, but one thing I'll tell you. You might be surprised. If we stand side by side to stop this genocide They will be surprised. For as long as we're silent, as long as we're still They'll gun us and shun us, you know that they will! So raise your voices high in one unified cry And we'll see who's surprised!
c 1975, 2000, 2014 Kleine Ding Music. words and music by Kristin Lems.
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