Over Alameda

Mama’d tell me of her hopes
And what she hoped to leave behind
And what she thought that she would find
Out in California
She’d talk about Mississippi
I still don’t know how it
If any place could be worse than this
It’s hard to believe
She’s say, «Baby, if I could
«Y'know I’d buy us a home
«Over Alameda
«Where the green grass grows»
Now when she left the Delta
It was 1966
Come to Los Angeles
She was nine years old
And there was work to be had
Grandaddy worked at Firestone
Made enough to buy a home
Out on Wilmington Avenue
Then the jobs moved out
Grandaddy died and we lost the house
Moved into the Jordan Downs
And been here ever since
Mama’d say there’s something better
I’d say I know that there is
Over Alameda
Where the white folks live
So 97th and Laurel
It’s all I’ve ever known
I’m nineteen years old
Just yesterday
And what I have seen
All I’ve discovered
Is there’s nothing for a boy of color
But to fight
And I’ll keep on fighting
'Cause they ain’t licked me yet
Going over Alameda
Like Mama said