Black is the night

He looks me in the eye.
His are dead and hollow,
As he quietly whispers to me,
"The Chair, by night, tomorrow."
Beauty is skin deep.
Is my soul so shallow ?
Who are they to judge me,
By the rules they do not follow ?
Because I am black ?
Because the night is black ?

Hours or years ?
The difference I cannot tell.
I spend time making peace within.
All's well that ends well.
I've done no wrong. I want to go home.
But they say I'll go to hell.
Why ? Why ? Why can't I live quietly,
With my sweet Isabelle ?
Because I am black ?
Because the night is black ?

What I am, was not a choice,
Like 'To be or not to be',
But whatever I am, I will bear,
With Pride and Dignity.
Even now, I have no choice.
I take what's given to me,
And in my heart, I can only hope,
This world's a free country.
Because I am black.
Because the night is black.

My thoughts, my words, my pleas,
To them they mean nothing.
So I send them elsewhere,
To someone who will find meaning.
"Father, forgive them,
For they know not what they're doing."
No truer words, I have ever spoken,
And I mean whatever I'm saying.
Because I am black.
Because the night is black.

They have starved me. They have tortured me.
But I have my tears and so my throat is not dry.
They give me a choice. "Kill yourself or we do it for you".
I have no choice but to choose. But no, I will not try.
Injustice will happen,
But no more will I cry,
In the light, in the dark,
Because I know why.
Because I am black.
Because the night is black.