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On this side of, on this side of the world -On this side of, on this side of the world -There's a woman whose thinking and really re-linking the hand of one human to one. At the cost of it all she is living the cause. There's no peace till the love work is done. On this side of, on this side of the world - On this side of, on this side of the world - Give them beans, give them rice there's no real pain or strife. All people can't even choose life. Say it loud say it good, say alright if you could but, you know that he's beating his wife. On this side of, on this side of the world - On this side of, on this side of the world - Give them time for the crime. Say the system is fine. Can't you really get it in your head? He's not killing his mother or stabbing his brother, he's drown in the lies he's been fed. On this side of, on this side of the world - On this side of, on this side of the world -
There's a place where we can go. There's a way and we all know. Let's get it on cause it's all been said. We got to free ourselves. Get it in your head. We're the ones who make the choice. Make sweet music of all this noise. There can be happiness harmony if you'll only give your love to me.
On this side of, on this side of the world On this side of, on this side of the world - Who am I to be asking or even attracting the ill-fate of one's filled with hate? I'm an African woman. I'm through with my runnin'. I'm here to get up in your face. On this side of, on this side of the world, On this side of, on this side of the world - There your sister, your brother, the one or the other. We must teach about family. If you're stuck in the middle please don't give a little. Give your best so we all can be free.
On this side of, on this side of the world, On this side of, on this side of the world -
There's a place where we can go. There's a way and we all know. Let's get it on cause it's all been said. We got to free ourselves. Get it in your head. We're the ones who make the choice. Make sweet music of all this noise. There can be happiness harmony if you'll only set your power free -
On this side of the world.
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2. |
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Ooooo....Ohhhh!
Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played. Answer the call and sing your song to all tell them how you've dance and play.
Don't let them fool you - they need like you they have needs like you. O - don't let them fool you they need like you. They have needs like you. And so you've got to...
Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played. Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played.
You don't have to promise anything else. They'll take or they won't take. O - You don't have to promise anything else. They'll take or they won't take, but ya keep on...
Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played. Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played.
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
Well you've got to...Answer the call. Answer the call. Mmmm
Answer the call. Answer the call.
Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played. Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played.
Sing and dance and live a little. Make the most of what you have. You've gotta sing and dance and live a little. Make the most of what you have. And ya keep on...
ANSWERING THE CALL (deep, doubled strong voiced woman)
Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played. Answer the call and sing your song to all. Tell them how you've danced and played.
Mmmm...
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
(Make up your mind)
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
(O say you will!)
Answer the call. Answer the call now. Answer the call!
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3. |
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You don't know what it's like trying to live the right life.
You don't know what it's like being Black and feeling like White only is right. You can't possibly know. O How could you know unless you've tried it?
I'm almost there when I straighten my hair, paint up my face like I'm going somewhere. Give them a chance they'll say "You're okay!" Knock at they're door they say, "Please go away".
You don't know what it's like trying to live the right life.
You don't know what it's like trying to fit in in the great white life. You can't possibly know. O How could you know unless you've tried it?
You can walk around in that skin of yours acting like I'm a kin of yours. You got to start by first being a friend. Pass me your heart and maybe I'll let you in.
You don't know what it's like trying to live the right life.
You don't know what it's like being Black and feeling like White only is right. You can't possibly know. O How could you know unless you've tried it?
Once upon a time I didn't know myself - made it very hard to show myself. Now I can say with plenty of pride, I love myself and I refuse to hide.
Ooo - I spent a lot of time trying to make up my mind just what is real and what is fake. And I can tell you now, if there's someway, somehow - please don't make the same mistake.
You know deep in that heart of yours what's real and what you're brought here for. We too can make a way out of no way. Let's build world family starting today!
Then we'll all know what it's like when we rise up together and choose to you unite. We'll all know what it's like when we're living together the real "right life".
We can't possibly know. O How will we know? How will we know? How will we know unless we've tried it?
Let's try it. Let's try it!
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4. |
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Been too long now - long time comin', but you knew way back then you still had the chance. Life is sweet now, sweeter than it was before, and you can see just what the struggles been for. You got to ...
Follow your dreams. Follow your heart. Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams. Follow your heart. Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams.
I needed love, but I didn't know where to find it. And I hoped time and again the answer was still within.
Follow your dreams. (Follow your dreams.) Follow your heart.
Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams. (Follow your dreams.) Follow your heart.
Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams.
Spoken:
I know that I must always remember how to keep moving in the midst of the madness; the negative attempting to arrest the positive; the right being tested by the wrong., and by remembering i can't be stopped. I won't be stopped.
You tried to break me with your lying about my freedom. Now it's all behind me and it's me myself I'm loving. I had too...
Follow my dreams and follow my heart. Follow my dreams.
Follow your dreams. (Follow your dreams.) Follow your heart.
Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams. (Follow your dreams.) Follow your heart. Follow your dreams. You got to.
Follow your dreams. (Follow your dreams.) Follow your heart. Follow your dreams.
Follow your dreams.
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5. |
"No Way" by Rashida Oji
03:24
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No way you gonna take away my power. No way. This woman was born to flower. No way. No way. No way.
Mama! I was just a child then. Mama! Too little too weak to do anything. Couldn't stop that man, no, he was too wild. Couldn't stop him no - Daddy beat Mama in front of his own child.
No Way! No Way!
No way you gonna take away my power. No way. This woman was born to flower. No way. No way. No way. No way. No way. No way.
I can still see you there sprawled on the be with the rollers in your hair. What was I to do - too little to take care of you? There was no where for you to go. He was swinging high, swinging low. Mama! Mama! My Mama!
No Way! No Way!
No way you gonna take away my power. No way. This woman was born to flower. No way. No way. No way. No way. No way. No way. No Way.
Ya see the master beating the slave, slave beating the wife. Violence turns over again to the child from the wife. No Way! No Way! No Way!
No Way!
Many years gone by since that day I saw my Mama cry, but I know she's gone to that place when she gets that stony look on her face. Now she swings her own arms high. Now she makes her own children cry - "Mama! Mama! My Mama!
No Way! No Way! No Way! No Way!
No way you gonna take away my power. No Way! No Way!
No More! No More!
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6. |
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"Should I say my Mama is a big, big woman? I should say big ole'. If I call her big that's one thing. If I call her big ole'..."
Sheilds Up! Huh! Shields Up! Huh! ...Shields Up! Huh!... Shields! Shields! Shields! Shields!
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone. Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
My Mama is a big, big woman. What make her wanna be that size? Then one mornin' I figured out that bein' big mighta' saved her life. She must have a feeling as I know for myself, everytime I add a few pounds I put fear right up on the shelf.
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
(Git away from me.) Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
I am a big, big woman many people are big this way. Though it sometimes threatens our health, we choose our size to say; should a man come up to me wavin' his ole' thang around, I ain't ashamed to tell ya, I'm big enough to put him down.
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
(Git away from me.)
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
Let me tell ya my story
When I was a child of nine Mama beat my little behind, so I just put on a few. Next time I'll be ready for you. Next time I'll b ready for you. I'm talkin' skin. (Shield's up!) Put on some skin. (Shields Up! Huh! ...Shields Up! Huh!)
Almost as good as armor. Bringin' up the shields. No one can harm her in her skin force-field. In her skin force-field. In her skin force-field. In her skin force-field. In her skin force-field.
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
(Git away from me.)
Beneath all this skin is just an innocent virgin wanting to be left alone.
(Git Away!)
Do ya know what I mean when I say "I got to put on some weight today? Do ya know what I mean when I say "I got to put on some weight today? I got 'ta put on some weight today. Got 'ta scare my demons away.
Sheilds Up! Huh!Sheilds Up! Huh!Sheilds Up! Huh! Sheilds Up! Chill...
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7. |
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Tananana, mmm tananana, mm mm mm mm mm
Tananana, mmm tananana, mm mm mm mm mm
Where have you been all my life you lovely bird? Where have you been all the while? Where have you been keeping that lovely smile? I like your style.
Where have you been all my life you beautiful tree? And why have you been keepin' yourself from me? Do you thing that I would look silly if I try to hold you tight - all through the night?
Where have you been all my life you gorgeous stone? Have you been right here - right here all alone? All you had to do was call me up on the telephone and then come on home. Such a gorgeous stone.
Well I wonder about the wonders of this wonderful world. Then I ponder about the blunders of every man, woman, boy and girl. I get a little fearful when I see what we do to the Earth. Got to save our Mother Earth.
Where have you been all my life you lovely lake? Have you been right here - right here in my face? Soon might be too late for the beautiful lake.
Where have you been all my life you serene stream? When I look into you I see my life flows like a dream. I done been redeemed by this here stream.
Well I wonder about the wonders of this wonderful world. Then I ponder about the blunders of every man, woman, boy and girl. I get a little fearful when I see what we do to the Earth. Got to save our Mother Earth.
Where have you been all my life you human beings - hidden in your houses looking for life in a golden ring? Just when will you see what it is you have to do to get close to me...and the bird and the tree, and the lake and the stream, and the gorgeous stone? You the Earth's our home
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8. |
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When in a child's world I'm happy and free. I'd like to think different, unlike society - be what I want to and say what I think without the obligation or responsibility,
But those busy people a tramplin' on me, takin' my freedom. They don't want me to see the way things can be without impossibility.
Sun brightened hillsides, my friends are gathered round. We're playing in a world that's carefree. No hustle or bustle a moment for smiles - forgetting the time and having fun for awhile.
But those busy people tramplin' on me, takin' my freedom. They don't want me to see the way things can be without impossibility.
I've grown into a world of many complications, all sorts of duties and many dedications. A child's world is free and that's where I'd like to stay, but I've got to move on...I've got to move on...got to move on...I've got to move on to the real world someday...to the real world someday...to the real world someday...to the real world someday. I've got to move on...I've got to move on..........
Still those busy people a tramplin' on me, takin' my freedom. They don't want me to see the way things can be without impossibilities.
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9. |
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What can you say of love? What can I or anyone say? Can you tell your friend you love her, your sister or your mother? What can you say of love?
What can you say of love? What can I or anyone say? Can you tell your friend you love her, your sister or your mother? What can you say of love?
Do you feel it in your veins? Isn't it really the issue, the problem, the pain, the joy? What can you say of love?
Can it flow from you like the waterfall it is? What can you say of love?
What can you say? What can you say?
What can you say of love? What can I or anyone say? Can you tell your friend you love her, your sister or your mother? What can you say of love?
And are you afraid? Are you afraid of love, to be loved, to give love? What can you say of love? What can you say? What can you say?
What can you say of love? What can I or anyone say? Can you tell your friends you love them or is it all above them? What can you say of love? What can you say? What can you say of Love?
What can you say of love? What can you say? Well, you've got your own story to tell of love. What can you say? What can you say?
Question Love. Love. Love. Love. Love.
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10. |
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No matter what you can always rely on me. No matter what you can rely on me. I'll do your washin' and your scrubbin', yes I'll cook your food. No matter what you can rely on me.
I am a woman you've noticed of a very strange kind. I am a woman of your word it's true. You've got them papers on me, so I can never git free.
No matter what you can rely on me.
My Mama had me, had my sister and my brother for you. She did not want you but you robbed her soul. You is my father, the devil and my massa three. No matter what you can rely on me.
One day I tried to run. I tried to get away from here when the moon was hangin' in the night. but then you caught me. 75 lashes nearly took my life. No matter what you can rely on me.
No matter what you can always rely on me. No matter what you can rely on me. I'm just a prayin' for a Moses come and set us free. No matter what you can rely on me.
You preached a sermon for the lot of us, massa and slaves before you hung and put two women in their graves. You say you own us and your god had willed it be. No matter what you can rely on me.
Now I can see you women's here ya think doin' fine. Some won't take men to be their fair and true. You won't scrub their floors or even cook they food. No matter what they can't depend on me.
No matter what I can always depend on me. No matter what I can depend on you. We'll run this world or die in hell before these Massa's is through. No matter what I can depend on you.
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11. |
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Woman, woman you're one of a kind. You bring new meaning to the word refined. You got style, got grace. You're never outta place. You know where you're going it show's on your face. If I could say one thing to help you do your best, I would say lead on, but don't forget about the rest. The young ones, the old ones, oppressed like you - their lookin' for their freedom and we all deserve it too. So put your ear to the wall and answer the call to make justice and truth a reality for all. You can do it from right there. You know you really care. You wanna reach out your hand and really be there. Don't let it hold you back that no one gave you the slack, or told you were good, or patted your back. Go on and do what you should. It'll make ya feel good. Give a little more heart - it would help us if you could.
I don't mean to ramble on about how far we have gone, but you know I could rap until the break of dawn, but it's important you see for us all to be free. Don't shut the door cause I do things differently. I'm your sister, your brother, old friend or old lover. Take a chance and reach for me cause you might not get another. From the woman comes life through pain and through pain and through strife. Respect the Mother - She'll help ya get it right!
Woman, powerful woman! Dynamic woman. Here come big, big, big woman.
Yeah I'm a woman and this is woman's rap
Repeat from top - then
...Powerful woman, dynamic woman, soul searchin' woman, powerful woman, wo wo wo women, courageous woman, living woman
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12. |
"Reprise" by Rashida Oji
02:37
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Reprise
No more! (No More!) No More.
Years and years of oppression, (No More!) years and years under the master's whip, (No More!) years and years of hurting each other (No More!) - no more, no more, no more, no more.
No More! No More! No More! No More!
Years and years of oppression, (No More!) years and years under the master's whip, (No More!) years and years of hurting each other (No More!) - when we gonna turn it all around, turn it all around? No more!
No More! No More! No More! No More!
Years and years of oppression, (No More!) years and years under the master's whip, (No More!) years and years of hurting each other (No More!) - we gotta turn it all around, (No More!)
turn it all around.
No way. No way. No way. No way. (No More!)
No way. No way. No way. No way. (No More!)
No way. No way. No way. No way. (No More!)
No way. No way. No way. No way. (No More!)
No way. No way
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Regina Wells Rashida Oji Oakland, California
In November 1989 the artist Rashida Oji moved from St. Louis, MO to Oakland, CA seeking fame as a folk/rock
singer/songwriter. "Continue The Journey" contains the message and healing balm of a performer turned
priestess. Now also known by her given name, Regina Wells, teaches mind/body awareness via the principles of Rosen Method Movement and Bodywork, working in private and in Addiction Medicine
... more
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