Oughta be a woman

Washing the floors to send you to college
Staying at home so you can feel safe
What do you think is the soul of her knowledge
What do you think that makes her feel safe

Biting her lips and lowering her eyes
To make sure there’s food on the table
What do you think would be her surprise
If the world was as willing as she’s able

Hugging herself in an old kitchen chair
She listens to your hurt and you rage
What do you think she knows of despair
What is the aching of age

The fathers, the children, the brothers
Turn to her and everybody white turns to her
What about her turning around
Alone in the everyday light

There ought to be a woman can break
Down, sit down, break down, sit down
Like everybody else call it quits on mondays
Blues on Tuesdays, sleep until Sunday
Down, sit down, break down, sit down

A way outta no way is flesh outta flesh
Courage that cries out at night
A way outta no way is flesh outta flesh
Bravery kept outta sight
A way outta no way is too much to ask
Too much of a task for any one woman

Lyrics: June Jordan
Music: Bernice Johnson Reagon

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