The Negro Mother

    Coday

    to tell you a story of the long dark way

    t I o climb, t I o know

    In order t t live and grow.

    Look at my face -- dark as t --

    Yet srue light.

    I am the red sea

    Carrying in my body the free.

    I am the field

    Bringing tton and to yield.

    I am the one who labored as a slave,

    Beaten and mistreated for t I gave --

    Coo.

    No safety , no love, no respect was I due.

    t South:

    But God put a song and a prayer in my mouth .

    God put a dream like steel in my soul.

    Nohe goal.

    Nohrough my children, young and free,

    I realized to me.

    I couldnt read t e.

    I .

    Sometimes, tears,

    But I kept trudging on the lonely years.

    Sometimes, t he sun,

    But I o keep on till my work was done:

    I o keep on! No stopping for me --

    I he coming Free.

    I nouris nother

    Deep in my breast -- ther.

    I  nohrough you,

    Dark ones of today, my dreams must come true:

    All you dark c there,

    Remember my s, my pain, my despair.

    Remember my years, h sorrow --

    And make of torcomorrow.

    Make of my pass a road to t

    Out of t.

    Lift  of t.

    Stand like free men supporting my trust.

    Believe in t, let none push you back.

    Remember track.

    Remember rong in struggle and strife

    Still bar you the way, and deny you life --

    But march ever forward, breaking down bars.

    Look ever up tars.

    Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers

    Impel you forever up t stairs --

    For I ill no her

    Dares keep doher.