The Last Poets - Hands Off lyrics

Tell me not that I'm a dreamer for the things I feel and see or that nothing can be accomplished from the things I wish to be Tell me not that I'm fanatic for the things I feel inside they are flowers of oppression born of a pain I cannot hide Do not look upon my actions as the acts of one insane when I take up modern weapons to avenge my father's name Let your eyes scan on the Ghettos, through the books of history then you'll understand this feeling and just how it came to be Sure I must admit I'm bitter for the precious blood I've bled and for the years of cruel oppression that you've heaped upon my head For the rape of my grandmothers and the mulattos that you've left for the many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many years of slavery with its legacy of d**h Tell me not that I'm a dreamer, oh no it's you that cannot see I am just another victim of a cruel reality What manner of man is this, I ask? Who roams the seven seas who graces the skies of birds of iron and wanders where he please Who walks into another's home and takes his properly Then slays the man, his wife and child in the name of liberty What manner of beast is this I ask who drops a napalm from the skies then send my sons away to war to maim and k** and die What manner of man is this I ask, who arrogantly displays his might What manner of man is this, my friend, needless to say he's white So take your hands off of me, white folks, I've done you no wrong I'm only guilty of making you strong I've built all of your cities and I've worked in your mines I've fought to protect you many a time It was I who taught you what it is to be brave I had great civilizations when you lived in caves I taught you what soap was when you dyed yourselves blue I taught you of planting and harvesting too I showed you what clothes were to cover your backs when you were wearing wolfskins and running in packs When you knew nothing of the barrier of sound it was I who taught you that this planet was round In Palermo, Sicily and Italy and Spain I left monuments of my grandeur and fame And during your dark ages when your people were blind I built universities to enlighten your kind When your homeland was weak and your people were poor It was I who brought you to America's shore Why you did not even know how to survive I showed you medicine to keep you alive How earnest you seem, how well you did learn now vile a reward I received in return But time is on my side, I'm sure you must know that the day will arrive when you'll reap what you sow For I gave you Religion and you know it's a fact that the Christ and the Buddha and Mohammed were black I taught you to dance and I taught you to sing You repaid me with treachery and slavery and chains So don't touch me Whitey and don't look surprised No I'm no longer fooled by your tricks and your lies I'm aware of your game and of your history and I'm aware of the Judas that you've been to me So watch out for me white folks, It's just a matter of time I'll soon be together, then Vengeance is mine