REDVOLUTION LYRICS
REDVOLUTION – LYRICS
Litefoot released Redvolution in 2004 and the album contains some of his most powerful work as a lyricist. The album was inspired by centuries of oppression dealt toward the Native American community. The album was Litefoot’s audio manifesto and the energy of the lyrics and the performance screams enough is enough. How loud does someone have to scream to have their voice be heard in this world. The lyrics to four of those songs are below for you to read and enjoy.
Intro Ad Lib Voice:
There will be a time that will come when the world becomes very sick, chaotic and so lost that they will be force to humble themselves. The majority will put their face on the ground and show our mystery honor.
1st Verse
Here I am again. Frustrated, standin’ up for the people
Fightin’ on KPFA radio tryin’ to get the masses to hear me equal
But feelin’ like I’m screamin through some racist concrete walls
Feelin’ like they wanna keep me locked in a cupboard three inches tall
All I desire is for the evil and hatred to cease
At least for the schools to implement our history and teach
A whole nation of Indian children every boy and every girl
Show them a text book with a successful Native in this world
Show them our culture is beautiful and many died for them to live
Don’t speak bout us in past tense and offer education with nothing to give
You teachin’ the descendants of U.S. prisoners of war
You reaching the descendants of small pox diseases and more
So when they look at the teach and don’t believe the rah rah speech
Instead of sendin’ them to the office maybe you should just sit and think
Bout what you got taught in school or better yet probably didn’t
The U.S. didn’t say good bye to us they wrote history books to say, “good riddance.”
Chorus
How should I
Be of you?
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
How can I
Honor you
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
I don’t wanna be controversial, extreme or even militant
But I cannot stand by and say nothing even if you ain’t feelin’ it
I ain’t mad at you leavin me all out here on the battlefield alone
I ain’t mad I’m fightin’ for our life while you chillin’ in ya home
Cause I was born to do this and given the strength to endure
Speak the truth that many wouldn’t and never ever question if I’m sure
Cause I have been placed on this dirt to give your spirit some worth
Open my mouth for the Creator no doubt no matter how much it hurts
Form words bringin’ Ancestors out the past to here and now
And what you hearin’ now ain’t too many gonna be cheerin’ now
Rather they fear it now but a lil’ later they gonna get it
Then remember back ‘bout Litefoot and appreciate how I spit it
And see me for me that’s not spoken arrogantly
Humble to those I serve, because who I serve lasts eternally
Did the work I was sent to do and stood up for the truth
Me against the world, but ya know ya boy did what he had to do
Chorus
How should I
Be of you?
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
How can I
Honor you
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
Breakdown Ad Lib Voice:
But some will move strong to evil in that time of disease strange weather, war and darkness when people of all colors begin to lose hope. One will come. The ancient ones have prophesied this.
I love my people therefore I can love myself
So I love myself now I can bring my family wealth
Wealth not in dollars or shiny nickels, dimes or quarters
But richness of spirit so I can put it all in proper orders
Cause you can not fix those around you if you broke down inside
You cannot project joy with ya face if ya eyes drownin’ in lies
And ya heard me say it all those who heard me speak in person
Do something with the message otherwise it’s just only words
Just sounds floatin’ around that was just nice for ya’ll to hear
Not the healin’ strength and weapons meant for ya to conquer ya fears
So do what I said and pray the moment that ya eyes is open
And believe In what ya ask for, don’t speak to the Creator like you just hopin’
But rather that you have hope in every serious thought that was spoken
That you ain’t just talk you show ya prayers through ya actions and motions
Believe me I know how hard it is to actually do these things
And sometimes fail, Because although we try… We just human beings!
Chorus
How should I
Be of you?
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
How can I
Honor you
In all I do
You know… I speak truth
Outro Ad Lib Voice:
This one will probably have moved amongst the people and have traveled the land for years, mostly going unrecognized and unnoticed… As people like this usually do. But the evergrowing darkness of the world, will bring the Lite for all to see. And it will become, as it was said it would be. As it would be, it will become.
Announcer Voice:
Now what we have here Jim is, uh, Eminem is accused of being a racist because he said the “N” word. But I was looking in the record store and I saw this African American, Biz Markie with a headdress on. Now, isn’t that offensive to Native Americans?
1st Verse
It’s unfortunate the world we live in seem filled with hate
Don’t wanna believe my eyes the conflict men create
There ain’t much love ain’t much that seem sincere
We all think we free, but mostly just slaves to fear
Go to war with other nations for less than what they did
Didn’t throw us in no ovens but still burnt up our women and kids
Don’t sound nice to talk about but I gotta do it still
No ones ever apologized to us my rap talks how I heal
How I deal with all the anger I feel that’s just not mine
Instead of goin’ at ‘em with nines I get at ‘em with these here rhymes
But don’t get it twisted. It’s still in me to wanna fight
Calm down that wasn’t aimed at you. Now just because you white
I wanna fight for true freedom my ancestors cherished.
It’s gonna take us all no matter what color ya skin and hair is
So think bout how you treat folks when ya tongue rolls round ya mouth
Cause if I said half the things to you I hear… My shit’d get snatched out.
Chorus
So what’s it gonna be for you and me to see.
That we brothers and sisters we all need equality
This world ain’t just white – it ain’t all black either
It takes the brown yellow and red to complete the people
What’s it gonna take more of our blood to spill
Is it gonna be killing the earth over oil to drill
This world ain’t gonna make so we best to chill
I ain’t got shit to say but a lot you could feel
So can you speak to me about what the world screams to me
Disrespect so damn blatant who’s realities on TV
Got the money to buy the box but what’s this comin’ out my box
It ain’t respectin’ me. What the fucks on my TV?
Saturday Night Live got a comedian named Billy Smith
He don’t look like no skin I know. He ain’t funny for shit
He got a cowboy hat on and of course a braid out the back
But he don’t talk good English and oblivious to why he’s laughed at
Guess basically what Lorne Michaels and Jimmy Fallon tryin’ to say
Is that I’m in the past what you doin’ here tryin’ to be today
That me and my people just some washed up, “has beens”
That we couldn’t even tell a joke or be funny to get some friends
SNL sayin’ the same as the movie biz and hip hop
We only good with feathers on. We don’t exist when they off
I punch the remote feelin’ like my whole race is a joke
I wanna grab ‘em by his throat but instead I just burn this cedar for hope
Breakdown Ad lib
Announcer Voice:
This just in. Eminem has been convicted of being a racist and uh, well many hip hop people just continue to wear the atlanta braves and cleveland Indians on their head.
Chorus
So what’s it gonna be for you and me to see.
That we brothers and sisters we all need equality
This world ain’t just white – it ain’t all black either
It takes the brown yellow and red to complete the people
What’s it gonna take more of our blood to spill
Is it gonna be killing the earth over oil to drill
This world ain’t gonna make so we best to chill
I ain’t got shit to say but a lot you could feel
I did this show in New York in the county of Nassau
My homboy Lance handled that. Shinnecocks, “Wassup Ya’ll?”
I flew into LaGuardia I brought the whole damn tribe
My wife, my son, my bruh’s from the big Dub Y
Called over to Milwaukee, they got Aztecs right there
I told ‘em blow the whistle make gold dust fill up the air
They ain’t never gonna seen or expect the show we bring
Cause this Indian gonna make a call and bring the whole Rock Steady team
Showtime and it’s chaos. The coliseum’s sold out
Jadkiss spits Ludacris grabs the mic and out
Before Bust Rhymes it’s time for Litefoot and his crew
I jumped onstage grass danced and I spit the truth
Then the crowd split from cheers to “F” this skin
I thought this was america people I guess we ain’t equal again
Now a year later I’m watchin’ the Grammy’s it’s 2004
The crowd praisin’ Otkast dressed like Indians, jumpin around on the floor man.
Chorus (2x‘s and out)
So what’s it gonna be for you and me to see.
That we brothers and sisters we all need equality
This world ain’t just white – it ain’t all black either
It takes the brown yellow and red to complete the people
What’s it gonna take more of our blood to spill
Is it gonna be killing the earth over oil to drill
This world ain’t gonna make so we best to chill
I ain’t got shit to say but a lot you could feel
Intro Ad Lib
You know Public Enemy, NWA, all the way to Tupac and Dre!
Can we talk about it? (Singing)
They get to say what they wanna say. It’s America right? Marilyn Manson. Dixie Chicks.
I’mma rap about it? (Singing)
Why can’t I speak?
1st Verse
The warriors back! I’m the truth that’s a fact.
Sit down and shut up, or step up and get slapped.
I’m so tired of hearin’, that same ‘ol “rah, rah”.
I can’t rap. I sold out. Blah Blah.
All these accusations out the dark that’s aimed at me,
Talk shit in the shadows and don’t reveal who they be.
Cowards. My lil’ sister got more nuts than you
Big talk. I got thousands itchin’ to say, “wassup!?” to you!
And they ain’t lil’ kids. They ain’t pack lil’ shit.
That go for medicine or what’s ever in they fitted.
You sucka’s just way too dumb to get smart!
All that shit that you pop, don’t even amount to a mouse fart.
But that what really piss you off! See, I know.
You in love with me, But mad- cause I’m no homo.
And on top of that, got the hottest chick on any rez!
You understand what I’m droppin’, I’m just sayin’ what’s in yo head.
Chorus
Hey! Can we talk about it?
Hey! They don’t talk about it.
I’mma bring the real in here.
Make the whole world feel the deal!
Hey! Can we rap about it?
Hey! They don’t sing about it.
I’mma bring the real in here now.
Make the whole world feel the deal now!
Voice: Litefoot ain’t Hip hop. He ain’t real or gangsta.
Listen to me, Fuck Hip hop. Fuck you little wanksta’s
Then I reverse the curse, cause lil ‘ ones hear my words
But you could light ya’self on fire, scream and wouldn’t be heard
So sit down and turn the speakers way up to ten
I’m sayin’ this here slow, so no misinterpretin’
When’s the last time ya saw ya favorite rapper on a rez?
Never. Cause ya backpack ass don’t exist to them. Get it?
But they quick to throw on a fitted- with a skin
And I ain’t talkin’ bout, “New Era’s” with them leathers in them
I’m talkin’ bout them “indians(Cleveland),” “redskins(Washington)” and “braves(Atlanta)”
I’m talking’ bout them “mohawked” out Puff Daddy fades
They know we was here even before New York existed
That Ernie P, the Cree, photographed Crazy Legs twisted
That it was never just Black folks in them lyrical ciphers
Ask Afrika Bambatta. Tell him Litefoot told ya to holla!
Chorus
Hey! Can we talk about it?
Hey! They don’t talk about it.
I’mma bring the real in here.
Make the whole world feel the deal!
Hey! Can we rap about it?
Hey! They don’t sing about it.
I’mma bring the real in here now.
Make the whole world feel the deal now!
Make the whole world feel the deal now!
I’m bout ready to turn the Lite on all over the world
‘Bout ready to make ‘em love Indians, every boy and girl
‘Bout ready to crack ‘em in the mouth straight out the thin air
Leave ‘em feelin on the head wonderin’, “Where’s they hair?”
Leave all wantin’ to be even more than just Cherokee
And if she righteous enough might even raise her blood quantum a degree
Born to build a bridge they said could never be built
Built to make it right for all the millions that was killed
And I did it with this mic- the Creator put in my hand
I walk pre-destined, understand that there was always a plan
Now Jesse Jackson rings the phone and he talks to me
Russell Simmons know ya boy! Wrote seven pages bout me
But ya find me not in L.A., New York or Atlanta
Ya find me on some rez, givin back like I was Santa
Ain’t I really don’t give two shits if you get what I do
Stay ya ass on the rez and wait for Snoop Dogg to shoot through.
Chorus (2x’s and out)
Hey! Can we talk about it?
Hey! They don’t talk about it.
I’mma bring the real in here.
Make the whole world feel the deal!
Hey! Can we rap about it?
Hey! They don’t sing about it.
I’mma bring the real in here now.
Intro Voice:
Do you remember me? Do you remember my children? Do you remember your grandmothers and grandfathers? Your mothers, your fathers? Do you remember the ones that walked this earth before you? The sacrifice that we made for you? The blood we spilled on this ground?
1st Verse
I wander back through the clouds, sweet grass and smoke.
To a time long ago when throughout the lands we roamed
One with on High. No weed smoked only sacred pipes
Village after village filled with enlightened indigenous lives
Grandma sittin’ by a pot cookin’ over glowin’ fires
Tellin’ lil’ girls how they the queens of this Red empire
Mothers raisin babies nursin’ whole new generations
Lookin ‘em in they young eyes that she feeds and gives life
We blessed by the children when they blessed by us
We love ‘em long enough they treat they own precious
Philosophies handed down by women to make strong men
They cherish they wives so much they trade in they lives
Be a beautiful sight to see it all go down now
The harmony in this village ain’t found in no town now
I’m caught in the middle of this perfect perfect glimpse
To who and what we really are or a least I wish
Chorus
Who are we? What have we become?
Do we honor us? Or just forgotten?
What we really are. Why we really here.
Those that walked before- still in spirit here!
Tell me who you are. Do you really know?
Do you honor me? Would I ever know?
It’s blowin’ in the wind. Movin’ cross the land.
They reachin’ out to you. Go on take that hand!
I proceed to move through long houses and tipi’s
Tribe after Tribe all kinds a Nations of Neechie’s
When to my left I humbled to a beautiful sight
A father with his son making arrows take flight
Uncles all watchin’ while lessons and skills get passed
Teasin’ they nephew as just to where he’s aimin’ at?
And over by a lodge grandpa’s eatin’ soup amused
Reminiscin’ bout the same moments he had in his youth
Now he sees the children he taught become the teachers
Fulfilled seein’ another generation learnin’ how to feed us
The sparkle in his eyes is worth a thousand words
All around him children being taught to honor and serve
Childrens respect comes natural when it’s given to them
So when grandpa sits to talk they all gather to listen
I still hear his voice as they fade further away
Got me prayin’ we return to who we were one day, C’mon.
Chorus
Who are we? What have we become?
Do we honor us? Or just forgotten?
What we really are. Why we really here.
Those that walked before- still in spirit here!
Tell me who you are. Do you really know?
Do you honor me? Would I ever know?
It’s blowin’ in the wind. Movin’ cross the land.
They reachin’ out to you. Go on take that hand!
I step out my house my dream still fresh in mind
My ol’ school visions playin’ constantly on rewind
No wheels to roll so my Jordan’s peel out in the dust
Back to getting nowhere fast in my struggles to come up
Maybe I ain’t meant to be what’s on these posters I see
Get a education, a job and raise a good family
Whose reality is that? What these fools want me to believe?
When a 40’s for breakfast and dinners commodities
It’s all good intentioned there’s some really wanna help
And what they call a case project’s my own personal hell
Which got me holdin’ onto that dream like life itself
Seein’ them smiling faces opposite the cards I’m dealt
I’mma a grown ass man standin’ here fightin’ back tears
Fightin’ back the urge to drowned hurt with six packs of beers
Give my whole life for a second of my dream to be real
Because it’d just take a second for this warrior to heal
Chorus (2x’s and out)
Who are we? What have we become?
Do we honor us? Or just forgotten?
What we really are. Why we really here.
Those that walked before- still in spirit here!
Tell me who you are. Do you really know?
Do you honor me? Would I ever know?
It’s blowin’ in the wind. Movin’ cross the land.
They reachin’ out to you. Go on take that hand!
Intro Ad lib
Sometimes I feel like my head is gone. I feel like this whole world is wrong
I feel like, like, nobody understands what I feel like. Like it’s just me. Well, it’s just us. And it’s just, like that!
1st Verse
Sometimes I wish I ain’t have to write songs like this
Like we were beyond this here and lived together in just bliss
With no racist’s and no insensitive creatures crawling the earth
Sometimes I don’t believe america believes my culture has worth
Still tryin’ to rub my face in the dirt and blurt words which hurt
Sometimes I wish I made up what I’ve seen done with a smirk
But here we are and sometimes I see hope in the dark
Hear about people who wanna help and well I guess that’s a start
But sometimes I wonder why millions go for aid overseas?
While Indian hospitals can’t put band-aid’s on scratched knee’s
Sometimes I wonder why Hollywood stars give to every cause?
But when it comes to the rez the urgency to assist gets lost
Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever have equality for us?
If we’ll get beyond promises made to puppets to humor us
So humorous. But in a really sick and twisted dark way
Sometimes I wish my struggle and I could just part ways.
Chorus
Sometimes I feel like my head is gone.
Like this world is wrong
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
Sometimes it seems like it never stops.
Like the sky could drop
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
Sometimes I wanna scream so loud that america will stop and listen
Stop trippin’. Stop flippin’ on their propaganda mission
Sometimes what I hear just don’t make four from two and two
Sometimes I think what’s shitty to me… sounds good to you
Food for fools… Sometimes I see on my nightly news
The world fallin’ apart un-cureable diseases to infect you
But la la la la la! It’s another great day in the U.S.
Wake up! Time to bury more lies – more George Bush to digest
The whole worlds filled with “evil” and unrighteous sequels
Sometimes I wonder if “W” see’s my people and him as equal?
Sometimes I wish Osama Bin Laden hid out on my rez
So that the media would come visit and give Indian issues some press
“That fuckin’ Indian terrorist!” Did you hear what he just said?”
Sometimes I wonder how many of my people pilgrim terrorists killed dead?
And filled the ground red, so that God’s people could steal the land
Sometimes what some men do, makes me ashamed to upright stand!
Chorus
Sometimes I feel like my head is gone.
Like this world is wrong
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
Sometimes it seems like it never stops.
Like the sky could drop
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
Breakdown Ad lib
Sometimes if people just thought about what they did and what they said, before they did it and said it – this world would be a different place. But until then Andre /Outkast, put my shoes on.
Sometimes I wonder how Black comedians get away blastin’ whites?
And white people buy the tickets to sell out their shows each night?
But if an Indian cracked a joke about a white or black guy
Then that would be racist we’d better call in the FBI
Sometimes I wonder if we’d just be better off dead and gone?
Sometimes I wonder why Outkast didn’t feel like they did nothing wrong?
So Indians honor Outkast back and put your afro wigs on
And act like a slave… show love and eat watermelon all night long
Sometimes I wonder why things gotta get so fuckin’ extreme?
Why does bringin’ it into perspective gotta make me look so mean?
Like, “Oh no. He didn’t just say what I think he just said!”
But to you I was dead, tellin’ Andre 3000 “You go ‘head!”
I don’t understand how educatin’ you is my responsibility?
And it’s my fault ya’ ignorant and ya’ excuses are so fuckin’ silly?
Sometimes I wish I could play stupid and act like I don’t know
And walk up to some black people and say, “What’s happenin’ negro!”
Chorus (2x’s and out)
Sometimes I feel like my head is gone.
Like this world is wrong
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
Sometimes it seems like it never stops.
Like the sky could drop
And I can’t stand it.
It’s not the way I planned it
1st Verse
They called me today and they told me all about the news
Nobody wants the proof and nobody wants the truth
Nobody wants to feel all the pain that you feel
Ya fevers on fire and everybody just wanna chill
The heartless residents of this world today
And ya layin’ there dyin’ but they got bills to pay
They got they own agenda and it’s filled with greed
And it’s money over life. It’s hatred that they breed.
No extended hands nobody even lifts a muscle
They’d leave ya face down drowning in a inch puddle
All my anger makes me wanna avenge you
Fight the whole world just so I can defend you
Now I’m back to feelin like I wanna check out too
Lookin’ for a liquor bottle where I can defect to
And get so shit faced that I forget ya face
And forget ya slow death and the United States
Chorus
Livin’ in this world no hope
Seein’ all the pain it shows
Got to show your town there’s a better place
Livin on the rez
I know ya hear my words I know ya feel my hurt
I seen these tears fall off my face down to the earth
World want me to believe lovin’ you’s in vain
Want me to forget what you mean and all my pain
Tellin’ me to live like you just never ever were
When I look around I can’t tell what’s real for sure
Feel real obscure invisible and insecure
Nobody seems to know the measures of ya worth
So what am I gonna do if the sheets cover up you
No one seems to care just a bunch of blank stares
I realize why they kept you fictionalized
Reduced to stereotypes of what amounts to just lies
How can you miss that which you just do not know?
How can you grow when the seeds are never sewn?
And as ya pulse weakens ya understandings deepen
I’m appreciatin’ ya teachings given to us to strengthen.
Chorus
Livin’ in this world no hope
Seein’ all the pain it shows
Got to show your town theres a better place
Livin on the rez
I’m kneelin’ by ya side and I’m prayin’ for ya life
I’m sayin’ to myself, “Everything’ll be alright.”
But I’m half in shock. My stomach’s filled with knots
More ya family be here but you know they all “F’d” off
And everybody else they been hearin bout ya health
They been tryin’ to cope but mostly at the end of they rope
Desperately upset about the poor treatment ya get
Mascots, broke promises and corrupt leadership
Been takin’ it’s toll. Crank’s our new disease.
It’s self supplied drugs bringin’ rez’s to they knees.
Once it infects it splits up and dissects
Rips spirits out chests turns clans to gang sets
Here I am talkin’ why ya layin there barely breathin’
Searchin’ all my thoughts I’m tryin’ to find a reason
To walk out, give up and turn my back on you
But I’mma stay with my culture till I’m in the ground with you.
Chorus (3x’s and out)
Livin’ in this world no hope
Seein’ all the pain it shows
Got to show your town theres a better place
Livin on the rez
All Songs © (p) 2021 Litefoot Enterprises, LLC/Native Style Music
