MESSAGE FROM A BLACK MAN
(Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield)

Recorded by : Charles Earland; Derrick Harriott; Don Julian;
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires; Mickey & The Soul Generation;
S.O.U.L.; The Spinners; The Tempations; The Whatnauts.


Melvin: Yes, my skin is black,
But that's no reason to hold me back
Eddie: Why don't you think about it,
Think about it, think about it, think about it,
Think about it...
I have wants and desires,
Just like you
So move on the side
'Cause I'm comin' through, oh!

Temptations: No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now
Eddie and Temptations: No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now, oooh...

Melvin: Yes, your skin is white...
Does that make you right?
Eddie: Why don't you think about it,
Think about it, think about it, think about it,
Think about it...
This is a message
A message to y'all,
Together we stand,
Divided we fall, oh!

Dennis: Black is a color
Just like white,
Tell me how can a color determine whether
You're wrong or right,
We all have our faults...
Yes we do

Eddie: So look in your mirror
Temptations: Look in the mirror
Eddie: What do you see?
Temptations: What do you see?
Eddie: Two eyes,
Temptations: Two eyes,
Eddie: A nose, and a mouth just like me, oh!

Eddie: Your eyes are open
But you refuse to see,
The laws of society
Were made for both you and me,
Because of my color,
I struggle to be free
Sticks and stones,
May break my bones
But in the end,
You're gonna' see my friend, oh!

Temptations: No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now
(chorus repeated several times through music, or "the bridge")

(after a few minutes, above chorus is repeated
as song nears end, and then...)

Temptations: Say it loud!
No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

Temptations: Say it loud!
No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

Temptations: Say it!
No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

Temptations: Say it loud!
No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

Temptations: Say it loud!
Dennis: I'm black and I'm proud!
Temptations: No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

Temptations: Say it loud!
Dennis: I'm black and I'm proud!
Temptations: No matter how hard you try
You can't stop me now

fade to end