Bruises

I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) I'vе got the bruises to prove How could you prеtend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) [Verse 1: Mortimer] Nuff whip lashing, yeah Skin peeled and cracking Black Friday sale outs Nuff picnic days out You made us heavy Whip chains and sorrow Oh, how we cried out Till our eyes dried out I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) [Verse 2: Kabaka Pyramid] Like seh yuh nuh use me like a tool Abuse me like a mule Refuse me inna yuh school Then accuse mi seh mi fool Beat me till mi wail up Screaming while you rail up Peel your sugar cane Free me then you jail us It's always the Black that pay the penalties Scars on my back, they bear the memories Bodies found, no grave, we nah no cemeteries All we got a these verses and these melodies And trauma inna mi DNA weh pass down Chronic diseases, diabetes and gallstone Cycle repeat and now you treat we like a rass clown Is like a target pon mi back when mi a walk ‘round I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) [Verse 3: Lila Iké] Take it from the eyes That have seen the inner child Many try to run from the pain they left behind Trying to forgive is removal of my pride I've been tryna cope with these voices in my mind Once upon a time I'd wanna hear your side But I've come to know your mouth is full of lies Taken all I've got but you're not satisfied Slavery isn't something you can justify I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah) I've got the bruises to prove How could you pretend you never Used and abused (yeah) And yes, you scorned and refused To treat me equally, don't wanna hear your excuse (yeah)