Blackenized Hank Ballard

You fellas better quit jivin’—you better get yourself together and get blackenized, ‘cos the real thing is happenin’ now…

So-called brothers tellin’ lies
You colored people are just signifyin’
You better go to a natural school
Negroes get hot, black people get in the pool
I don’t know whether you realize
Before you get your respect you gotta be blackеnized

It took me a long time to cut my hair
Thе reason why—I wasn’t aware
I didn’t understand what it meant to be a man
But that’s the only way in this man’s land
I don’t know whether you realize
Before you get your respect you gotta be blackenized

You been leanin’ on others to be your keeper
That’s why they call you Negroes and colored people
You better change your strut and get in the swing
Find yourself and do your own thing
I don’t know whether you realize
Before you get your respect you gotta be blackenized—hit it!
Ow!

I don’t know whether you realize, but before you get recognized you gotta be blackenized
Now I’m gonna tell you one more time—better try to find yourself brother
Now let me tell you somethin’