Tom: Am
Am C
Young black intelligent, this is not a first
G Am
But it feels like it's curse and it weighs like a elephant
Am C
Heavy on my mind, 'cause I feel so irrelevant
G Am
Heavy on my heart, it's like I'm smart for the hell of it
Am C
Heavy on my soul, it's our stroll through the 'ville again
G Am
Stranded on this island, feel like I'm Gilligan
Am C
Friends got jailed and then they got bailed
N.C.
Stress that I'm under, I just wonder when they kill again
Am Em
Please understand that I'm living in the concrete
G Am
Jungle where I stumble is the crumble under my feet
Am Em
In the building lobby, see my man Bobby
G Am
Puffing on a joint that's the point where our eyes meet
Am Em
Asked what's the weight on the books in my knapsack
G Am
He's so amused, I'm confused why he asked that
Am Em
Then I understand the motive and the plan
G Am
He's trying to be the man while I stand getting laughed at
Am Em
Dudes got jokes but very little hopes
G Am
That's why they trying to bring me down like a halfback
Am Em
But I got balanced, my moms made a promise
N.C.
If I get the grades, I'll be praised like Thomas
Am Em
Clarence; but I don't know if law's in my future
G Am
Cops in the war and they'll sure try to shoot ya
Am Em
All I wanna do is get a B in geometry
G Am
Lose my virginity and live my life drama free
[Chorus: Pav Bundy & Masta Ace]
Am Em G Am
(sing) As I sit and count these clouds
Am Em G Am
I sure hope my ma is proud of me
Am Em
(Why be I?) why be I?
G Am
(Why be me?) why be me?
Am Em
(If I fly) - if I fly
G Am
(They gon' see) - they gon' see
Am Em
(I might die) - I might die
G Am
(But I'll be free) - but I'll be free
Am Em
(So why be I?) why be I?
G Am
(Why be me?) - why be me? Young Black Intelligent
[Refrain]
Am Em G Am
(intelligent) Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
(intelligent) Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
Young Black Intelligent Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
Young Black Intelligent Young Black
[Verse 2: Masta Ace]
Am Em
Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for your dreams
G Am
A dime for your goals and a quarter in your jeans
Em Em
Trying to make a dollar outta forty-one cents
G Am
Caught up in the barbed wire, shorty on the fence
Am Em
I can be a knife-packing, gun-toting hooligan
G Am
But I can't decide so I'm on my way to school again
Am Em
On my way to duel again, me against the world
G Am
But all I can think about is me against a girl
Am Em
Youthful exuberance, busting at the seams
G Am
Look at all the other kids cussing at the deans
Am Em
Looking at all the other kids cutting 8th period
G Am
But I'm on a team and my coach won't hear of it
Am Em
He's well aware of it, I ain't getting pinched
G Am
Y'all dummies go ahead I ain’t getting benched
Am Em
Whole lot of right and a little bit of wrong
G Am
And everything you've worked for? Gone
[Chorus: Pav Bundy & Masta Ace]
Am Em G Am
(sing) As I sit and count these clouds
Am Em G Am
I sure hope my ma is proud of me
Am Em
(Why be I?) why be I?
G Am
(Why be me?) why be me?
Am Em
(If I fly) - if I fly
G Am
(They gon' see) - they gon' see
Am Em
(I might die) - I might die
G Am
(But I'll be free) - but I'll be free
Am Em
(So why be I?) why be I?
G Am
(Why be me?) - why be me? Young Black Intelligent
[Refrain]
Am Em G Am
(intelligent) Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
(intelligent) Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
Young Black Intelligent Young Black Intelligent
Am Em G Am
Young Black Intelligent Young Black
[Bridge: Chuck D]
Am Em G Am
In this state of emergency and sense of urgency
Am Em G Am
Just how young is young? Cause the youth be not youth for long
Am Em G Am
Young society might be afraid of you, But you continue to be you
Am Em G Am
We are you, so we feel you, for that those that see you
Am Em G Am
We salute you, continue to find like minds, brah
Am Em N.C.
Design your inside, concentration, desire Dedication, inspiration, perspiration
N.C.
Is the hard work
Am Em G Am
Doesn't guarantee anything
Am Em G Am
But without it, you don't stand a chance
Am Em G Am
Intelligence will save you, And us too, peace
[Outro]
Am Em G Am
- As I sit and count these clouds
Am Em G Am
I sure hope my ma is proud of me
