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Back of the Bus

by Shaina Shepherd

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about

Growing up Black in America is confusing when you're surrounded by love, time and talent. You can often feel the differences in the way people shift towards you in the most homogeneous environments. You can learn to stifle your rage and discontent with humor or sensuality. You can repurpose micro aggressions from White America into desperate disdain of Black Culture. You can see a road to freedom and waste time frantically searching for the door. You can do everything right and be so wrong.

Self love is earned love. And as the civil rights movement continues to stretch on in our country, I feel it is more important than ever to share every unique story of Blackness we can. This is mine - I grew up listening to records in libraries and pining for the glamour of opera and the idolatry of Nina Simone. As I've matured, I feel the weight of Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson and Ms. Nina. The sacrifices they might have made to bring their talents to audiences throughout generations of music. I hope to honor them, my mother and my grandmothers: Bernice and Ella Mae.

100% of the proceeds for this project go to support Africatown's Business Fund. Find more ways to support this incredible organization here:
www.africatownlandtrust.org/donate/

lyrics

I hate crossing the track
reminds me that every reaction
just keeps him keep holding me back
To the front
The front of the line where I preached while I pounded rose glasses of wine
I suppose perhaps that Miss Stein got it wrong when she told us a rose is a rose
Rather red...
but reading is so fundamental and keeping me mentally fed
So they said loud on the intercom
But it’s often quite hard to hear from the back of the bus.

I fall into the trap
The lie that my brilliance is balanced by Booty that wants to tap, like a keg
Filled with the blackest gun powder
A fine silty substance of dread
I once read read of a dream that a Reverend had 'fore he was shot in the head
But who knows
The books that I borrowed from Dewey had pages ripped out in the back
Not a fact often spoken on
But it’s often quite hard to hear from the back of the bus

Oh pardon me,
but won’t you please adhere to my request:
You’re standing strong right on my back so why not take rest?

No, not on your own laurels but if you must be my guest.
It’s not much fun to stand alone but less to be oppressed.

and if you find that bite too bitter for you to digest,
Enjoy that front seat on “our” bus and keep on journeying west.

I’ll keep on waiting on that train to Jordan with the rest
of the Mammys, Martyrs, Mother's Daughters
in their Sunday best!

Singing…
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

But it’s often quite hard to hear
Yeah, it’s often quite hard to hear
It’s often quite hard to hear
From the back of the bus

credits

released June 19, 2021
Shaina Shepherd - vocals, piano, melotron
Eric Padget - horns and melotron

Produced by Eric Padget

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all rights reserved

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about

Shaina Shepherd Seattle, Washington

I'm a songwriter.
They used to call me "Ladybug" because I was bright and round. My hobbies include music, talking too damn much and actin fly. Thank you for your attention :)

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