(The Marginalized) I Never Knew Lyrics

I never knew that my birth gave advantage

A pigment of privilege known by the few

I never knew that wealth was my birthright

expected from life and received as my due

The right doors were open before me

All I had to do was walk through

I thought opportunity's gate opened wide

For us all but that was not true....

I never knew that my sheltered upbringing

Averted the trauma of growing too soon

Two parents seemingly willing and able to

Raise offspring in a protective cocoon

There was no haste to exit the playground

No hurry to shoot for the moon

I thought my music was common to all

But you danced to a different tune

Oh now your breathing is shallow

You struggle to utter a sound

The powerful say your life hardly matters

As a knee holds your neck to the ground

I never knew that the chains of injustice

Were wrapped tightly round the American Dream

I never knew that the price of inaction

Was a chance for the crime to return to the scene

I pray this time it will be different

That a nation repent and redeem

But I fear that privilege will blind me once more

And turn a deaf ear to your scream

For now your breathing is shallow

You struggle to utter a sound

The powerful say your life hardly matters

As a knee holds your neck to the ground

I pray this time it will be different

That a nation repent and redeem

But I fear that privilege will blind me once more

And turn a deaf ear to your scream