Mayfield, Curtis - We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue Lyrics






We people who are darker than blue
Are we gonna stand around this town
And let what others say come true?
We're just good for nothing they all figure

A boyish, grown up, shiftless jigger
Now we can't hardly stand for that
Or is that really where it's at?
We people who are darker than blue

This ain't no time for segregatin'
I'm talking 'bout brown and yellow two
High yellow girl, can't you tell
You're just the surface of our dark deep well

If your mind could really see
You'd know your color the same as me
Pardon me, brother, as you stand in your glory
I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story

Get yourself together, learn to know your side
Shall we commit our own genocide
Before you check out your mind?

I know we've all got problems
That's why I'm here to say
Keep peace with me and I with you
Let me love in my own way

Now I know we have great respect
For the sister, and mother it's even better yet
But there's the joker in the street

Loving one brother and killing the other
When the time comes and we are really free
There'll be no brothers left you see

We people who are darker than blue
Don't let us hang around this town
And let what others say come true

We're just good for nothing they all figure
A boyish, grown up, shiftless jigger
Now we can't hardly stand for that
Or is that really where it's at?

Pardon me, brother, while you stand in your glory
I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story
Pardon me, brother, I know we've come a long, long way
But let us not be so satisfied for tomorrow can be an
An even brighter day





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Mayfield, Curtis We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue Comments
  1. K.... #....

    ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

  2. G.... I....

    "Pardon me, brother, while you stand in your glory, I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story" Curtis lyrics had so much pain to the point he was a direct messenger from God, He was the official movement consigliere appointed by GOD himself!

  3. G.... A....

    Curtis Mayfield original black music💚R.I.P #eternal

  4. R.... 1....

    Quinto Andar rimo da direita

  5. R.... C....

    King Curtis the World needs you more than ever! I wish I could call the Gates of Heaven and asked the Good Lord to return you to us but you'll probably say no and I wouldn't blame you!!.. We Love and miss you King Curtis Mayfield!!✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

  6. P.... H....

    One of the best !! Curtis , Marvin , Stevie !! I love them for ever !

  7. s.... ....

    Black Lightning brought me here. The creators of that show have excellent music taste!!!

  8. B.... I....

    This was recorded in a time before computer software was widely used in the studio....artists like Curtis Mayfield, Quincy Jones, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway & others would bring local orchestra sections into the studio (symphony orchestra musicians working on the side)....to do songs like these. They would work in conjuction with the bands of the artists or studio bands like MFSB (Philadelphia Int'l), Booker T & the MG's (Stax in Memphis), The Funk Brothers (Motown), Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (Alabama), The Wrecking Crew...and others. It was the best time for music in America. Computers lowered production costs....but the magic & complexity of that music is extemely hard to capture today (hence the wide use of sampling...which I am all for...as long as credit is given. It helps keep the origins of the music alive).

  9. T.... O....

    Carolina on my mind brought me here

  10. C.... R....

    Black lightning anymore?

  11. D.... G....

    Loving a BRUTHA and killing another this whole gig was together from the lyrics to the sound we can all git down you dig

  12. A.... S....

    Black Lightning

  13. P.... C....

    Here from Black Lightening

  14. A.... R....

    One of a hand full of artist that Wrote his songs , sang his song and also played and played an instrument in his songs who can say that??? Neil young and Bruce Springsteen are the only ones I can name. And if u do name another make sure that person has all 3

  15. D.... J....

    This song speak to the Soul.

  16. L.... C....

    Brotha Curtis was an absolute "Musical Genius" just listening to the melody & those drums makes me feel how connected to the Universe I truly am 💯💯 💯

  17. s.... ....

    Curtis Consciousness :-)

  18. B.... W....

    This song has brought me to tears before. Not afraid to admit it!

    B.... W....

    Its a very beautiful deep soulful song i completely understand

  19. S.... S....

    ALOT OF POWER AND TRUTH IN THAT.

  20. A.... L....

    still relevant!

  21. G.... S....

    God damn, im from RJ BRA, just born in 84....but listening this song, i feel like i live in 70`s .....tks for this , for the song, the vibe, the message.....

  22. R.... E....

    Now we can’t stand for that or is that really where it’s at?

  23. J.... A....

    I miss Curtis Mayfield's wisdom, such a heavy brother.

  24. D.... E....

    CORMEGA

  25. s.... l....

    We people who are darker than blue
    Are we gonna stand around this town
    And let what others say come true?
    We're just good for nothing, they all figure
    A boyish, grown-up, shiftless jigger
    Now we can't hardly stand for that
    Or is that really where it's at?

    We people who are darker than blue
    This ain't no time for segregatin'
    I'm talking 'bout brown and yellow, too
    High yellow gal, can't you tell
    You're just the surface of our dark, deep well?
    If your mind could really see
    You'd know your color the same as me
    Pardon me, brother, as you stand in your glory
    I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story

    Get yourself together, learn to know your sign
    Shall we commit our own genocide
    Before you check out your mind?
    I know we've all got problems
    That's why I'm here to say
    Keep peace with me and I with you
    Let me love in my own way


    Now I know we have great respect
    For the sister
    And mother, it's even better yet
    But there's the joker in the street
    Loving one brother and killing the other
    When the time comes and we are really free
    There'll be no brothers left, you see

    We people who are darker than blue
    Don't let us hang around this town
    And let what others say come true
    We're just good for nothing, they all figure
    A boyish, grown-up, shiftless jigger
    Now we can't hardly stand for that
    Or is that really where it's at?

    Pardon me, brother, while you stand in your glory
    I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story
    Pardon me, brother, I know we've come a long, long way
    But let us not be so satisfied
    For tomorrow can be an
    An even brighter day

  26. B.... ....

    This is the blackest song ever created.

  27. S.... D....

    He was a musical Prophet who went beyond Genius, he touched the souls of us all.

  28. B.... R....

    Awesome Genius songs Writer's

  29. p.... ....

    A musical prophet

  30. T.... c....

    CURTIS MAYFIELD IS A CHICAGO STORY, WE THAT GREW UP IN HIS HEY DAY NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM MISS HIS MUSIC AND STORY TELLING VERY MUCH,

  31. J.... M....

    Delivery of a Beautiful Soulful Message! !

  32. f.... w....

    He poured the syrup of love on the pancakes of struggle, rendering, a sweeter meal; let's eat!

  33. m.... M....

    So many nice sections of sound out there.when the rhythm starts their conversation they feel it N I do to..there's so many nice sections here strings horns bongo guitar bass conga Harp there too.n voice of course...

  34. s.... m....

    MY FATHER WAS A DRUMMER, HE PLAYED WITH LOT OF CHICAGO KATS AS HE SAID..HE PLAYED ANY DRUM ..I LOVE THIS REMINDS ME OF HIM PLAYING AND ME DANCING ! RIP JEFF THOMAS

  35. s.... m....

    SAY IT CURTIS! TELL IT

  36. s.... m....

    NOW THIS IS THE SONG !

  37. L.... H....

    I mean when universal law hit this land hell on earth

  38. L.... H....

    This song is deep and it's no time for brown,yellow,blacks to segregate we need to really start sticking together now more than ever around the world cause the enemy want us wiped out but when the universal hit this earth they won't be able to fight it the almighty don't like evil and when pour his wrath it will be he'll to pay

  39. e.... f....

    Are fillipinos darkr than blue?

  40. M.... K....

    curtis mayfield d angelo father

  41. L.... B....

    Dit maakt men nog nauwelijks ! Groots !!

  42. S.... ....

    I 💘 this Damn song my favorite song ever😢😢😢. Very humbling song

  43. C.... c....

    He was terrific very underrated

  44. t.... N....

    timeless truth, highest salutes to a divine soul

  45. W.... C....

    Quinto Andar clássico !

  46. D.... P....

    classicccccccccccc

  47. B.... D....

    “Yellow girl, can’t you tell, you are the surface of our dark deep well” - 😳 what a thinker and communicator! Fantastic.

    B.... D....

    FANTASTIC LYRIC

    B.... D....

    @BeABeliever InLove ikr...." 🎶🎤 There's the joker in the street lovin one brother and killin the other"🎶🎤!! ( DEEP and sadly TRUE) !!😲😥

  48. s.... ....

    Nujabes?

    s.... ....

    Yeaaas brotha, imaginary folklore!! R.i.p to two of the greatest

  49. b.... ....

    the way the violins drop in at 4:19 just sounds so damn coldblooded.

  50. R.... M....

    J. Cole - Carolina on My Mind

  51. S.... L....

    We who are "Darker Than Blue" Curtis Mayfield , Must get ready for what we see before us... Armageddon - Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon

    According to the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible, Armageddon is the prophesied location of a gathering of armies for a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or a symbolic location. The term is also used in a generic sense to refer to any end of the world scenario

  52. J.... C....

    Jason Society's ReaptlianBloodlines Illumination Manly P Hall s JasonsSocietys Universal Holy spirit JccGolden Templar Dragon portals Vortex's JCC Enki and Enil oGs Original Gods and Goddesses Ancient aliens Jcc

  53. W.... ?....

    Thanks Kev Mac

  54. A.... B....

    You don’t have to be darker than blue to understand the meaning of this song, and to appreciate Curtis Mayfield’s music. The more of his catalog I listen to, the more I love his voice, his grooves, and just Curtis for the musician and singer he was. No, I wasn’t there at the time (but wish I was in so many ways—I think of myself as an old soul who grew up 25 years too late) but it hasn’t stopped me from loving his music and trying to understand the way things were when he sang about them. 💟 And ☮️

  55. D.... R....

    Deep was Curtis

  56. m.... ....

    mane...™


    #datPimpn

  57. w.... ....

    4:00 - Okay, RJD2 (and Aceyalone) used this sample for Here and Now.

  58. b.... b....

    I listened to this song today on repeat. Beautiful and timeless.

  59. B.... L....

    You a wine head

  60. s.... a....

    tru life sample

  61. n.... V....

    Does anybody knows what does he means with this lyrics?

  62. M.... W....

    lisa thomas, REALLY?

  63. K.... M....

    && still' ..........................

  64. S.... V....

    This song is beyonnnnnd deep and still so relevant.  Good music is an understatement to describe this genre and Mr. Mayfield's music.   Talk about being "woke"!

  65. W.... 1....

    This here is the song that should've been called the message

  66. C.... A....

    The looters down in Florida after the devastation of Irma should take good heed of this tune!

  67. T.... B....

    I am in tears

    T.... B....

    You are LOVED 🙏🏽

  68. k.... p....

    There needs to be a hip hop/rap tribute to Curtis Mayfield, using his songs plus their own lyrics!

  69. M.... P....

    Leroy Holmes what do you mean by people have been wanting the song version here it is?

  70. J.... P....

    what genre would one call this

    J.... P....

    Jenna Picken Soul Music. Plain and simple.

  71. C.... S....

    "Eu rimo na esquerda, eu rimo na direita..." - Quinto Andar

  72. h.... p....

    fantastic music and good lyrics.

  73. C.... S....

    This is the JOINT!!!! I was 15 when this came out and things were very, very, different than they are now, and CURTIS kept asking questions of us from the time he left the Impressions until his death! He recorded the soundtrack for the 60s and 70 s with his to the point but beautiful lyrics that have proven prophetic and talking about not just now, but RIGHT NOW!!! Why?Cause theres the joker in the street /lovin one brother and killing the other/ But we can hardly stand for that/ OR IS THAT .......REALLY WHERE ITS AT!

  74. a.... h....

    Curtis, brotha Curtis- so prescient.

  75. o.... s....

    To me, it seems pretty clear but am I wrong thinking when he refers to 'yellow' he is referring to Asian Americans?? I looked it up on the internet and didn't see any references. Someone help a brother out! Long live Curtis!!

    o.... s....

    original asian skate nerdery it means a light-skinned black woman

  76. D.... M....

    I got this song from the pet store

  77. L.... K....

    Let me clear that up with out rushing the song is for people who are true at heart.

  78. L.... K....

    Very nice song for people who want to people who what to do right. I love it.

  79. J.... t....

    one year later, still relevant

  80. J.... A....

    This song would go great with old Black Panther footage from the 1960's and civil rights leaders King and X giving their speeches since the lyrics are about everyone equally suffering and needing to come together and help each other. =)

  81. E.... W....

    Deep song!

  82. J.... A....

    1 comment."check out yo mind" Joe abercrombie

  83. m.... S....

    Quinto Andar - Rimo na direita

  84. E.... .....

    Ima spin this shit

  85. M.... ....

    heard this sample from j.Cole's carolina on my mind, and just had to hear the original

    M.... ....

    M3l203 Ok we get it but this is a legend lol

  86. B.... K....

    Absolute genius! Sadly still a timely statement for today, but his optimism throughout is still so needed to offset internal and external injustice. –– We need more voices, souls and hearts like Curtis -

  87. J.... A....

    I think this song is a reference to police brutality with the title "Darker than Blue" as cops wear blue and at the time that this song came out I think it was during the heart of the civil rights movement with cops warring against poor people like crazy. If you think about it now the song has meaning today because the SAME thing is happening now that happened then. Only thing different are the individuals involved and the improvements in technology that let residents record incidents from their phones.

    J.... A....

    Thanks.=)

    J.... A....

    Jonathan Akerele Good observation, money. Great comment, I think ur right. BOTH conciously and philosophically

    J.... A....

    I was in high school when this came out. I choreographed a piece to it. He is referring to the color Black. Curtis refers to other shades of the African American in the song as well. He is calling us to continue with progress, and not to wallow in self pity or scorn which often resulted in violence.

  88. L.... M....

    "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue" is the right title.

    L.... M....

    Luc Marievoet I hope you die

    L.... M....

    Hey, hey now, what the fuck does this song mean first, and later explore the trolling implications.

    L.... M....

    But if thats true, Luc. Why does he say " We People, Who Are Darker Than Blue"?

    L.... M....

    I'm just talking about what's printed as title on the record. Got the record here with me ... You are right, he's singing it the other way too ...

    L.... M....

    Luc Marievoet piece of white color less shit

  89. S.... Q....

    I'm Cuban...the day people stop differentiating music by "the color of ones skin"...that will be the day we as one people; HUMAN FUCKING BEINGS, will START to get ahead And actually begin to progress, as WE THE PEOPLE, OF THE UNITED STATES.

  90. H.... H....

    He was such an excellent musician as a person, rip

  91. i.... x....

    cool song

  92. G.... B....

    Curtis Mayfield 4ever

  93. G.... B....

    He was and is a Prophet of Blackness with all the beauty it represents

    G.... B....

    That really isn’t the message he is trying to convey; you can easily exchange black and white with rich and poor.

    G.... B....

    GOLDEN BABY that was well said, "Prophet of Blackness". <3

  94. L.... B....

    THIS IS OFFICIAL SCRIPTURE

  95. P.... J....

    not origional but beautiful still

    P.... J....

    +Paula Jordan Not original? What are you talking about?

    P.... J....

    Sorry my mistake, realise i have a differant album :)

  96. e.... j....

    imagine he and maurice white doing something together with thier wisdom

    e.... j....

    R.I.P Maurice White :(

  97. T.... E....

    This is a complete failure for Black Radio stations to not play his Civil rights music. To do so would probably bring censor action from White people. But start trying to disturb the peace like Hosea Williams did.

    T.... E....

    Actually it would bring awareness and understanding. All great art does this. Curtis Mayfield is an American treasure. And yes,... I'm white.

    T.... E....

    ♥♡:-)

    T.... E....

    It was so wrong. This song is about harmony. He's talking to Black People and saying future and prosperity is possible but we must rise to the challenge and be united. It was a radical message fifty years ago. Now it seems relatively mild.

    T.... E....

    Theron English wrong this is needed all day everyday

    T.... E....

    Curtis Mayfield sold more records to white people than black.