Recitative: Born Black

[DEPUTY, spoken]
He he he he he he he. Why you black, ain't ya?

[JASSAWA, spoken]
Oh yes, I black, sure 'nough - ha ha!
Born black, black, black black black blick bluck bloock
B-L-A-C-K BLACK!! Ha!
My hide's black, my heart's black
My Jesus-bendin' soul is black!
Ain't no one in the worl' black as me!

The day I peeks out of my mama's womb
She say, child, you ain't honey-in-the-comb
You ain't top-of-the-biscuit, nor ginger
Nor bottom-of-the-jug molasses
You just black and no less
You a scant hump of cinders
A moon-under night without no stars!

Oh, I, I, I smiles and say to my mama
That's so, 'cause I'se in mourning for myself
And she say, sassy is no way to begin
And 'fore she cut me loose of her womb
She raise her ol' hand up and slap me hard
So I'se cries hot tears
Then she slap me more, pow-pow-pow, ha ha, 'til I cry no more
Then she tickle my rib 'til I learns to laugh and chuckle, he he he he
And she tickle my footsoles 'til I learns to dance the jig...
And the sassawally...
And the sheffle-hop
Dance the day long without stoppin'...
And all the time I dancin'
She whack at my shinbone with a hoe-handle, heh heh heh heh
'Til I learns to step sidewise real quick
And she cuff my ears
'Til I learns to dup my hat while I steppin' and jiggin' and laughin'

Then she say
That fine, black boy
Now come sit down to supper!
But no sooner I start to eat
Then she yank her tit from my hungry mouth
So's I never get spoiled for wantin' my fill
Hm
Then my mama smile and say
Alright, little black boy
Now you learned to be a nigga
And you maybe get along alright in this world

Oh, sweet Jesus God!
I hope little Carrie's child ain't gonna be lost in the night...
Not that baby