There Goes the Neighborhood

Too damn dark to be so damn happy
Too damn dark to be so

I watch the neighborhood
And I know they are coming
They are friendly, kind, and sweet
They give sugar when not asked for sugar
They white as flour
Arms long and skinny, some taking
From giving nothing but tea

Waving at me from across the street
Like a flag planted on my land
They came with wood and nails
Coming to build and bring
First, there was one, then two
Then there were twenty

These shotgun houses have committed an unruly suicide
They've turned themselves inside-out trying to be a home in my hood
Here they come with their bookstores, they yoga mats
They coffee shops and they bicycle paths
Show themselves friendly (friendly)
And we so black (so black)
We couldn't do nothing but wave and whisper

Whisper, white folk coming
Better watch big mama's house
Before they figure us out, aside (aside)

Couldn't be nothing but brown sugar
Had to be sweet, welcoming, Southern
First, it was a coffee shop
Then an organic grocery
Then a bookstore
As if those things weren't important or needed before they came
(Telling my sister to watch these niggas)

Welcoming so South
You're just like borders, gated quarters
Reminds me of slaves' house
Slaves' house

Why when they come, it changes?
Taking and owning all that was supposed to be mine
Owning what I decided to rent
Buying what I sold
Making my hood their home
And all I could do is watch and welcome

(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch)
(Maybe you'll wait, wait)
(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch)
(Maybe you'll wait, wait)
(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch)
(Maybe you'll wait, wait)

(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch) they be watchin'
(Maybe you'll wait, wait) they be waitin'
(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch) they be watchin'
(Maybe you'll wait, wait) they be waitin'
(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch) they be watchin'
(Maybe you'll wait, wait)
(Watch, maybe you'll watch, watch)
(Maybe you'll wait, wait)
(Watch, watch)
(Wait, wait)