What Has America Done lyrics

[Intro: Chuck D]
What has America done?

[Verse 1: Consequence]
My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty
Same land where they lynchin’ me, for over more than four centuries
The plantations where they sent for me, the plan for me was penitentiaries
Psychological injuries, but still we rise to be kings and queens
But what has America done for me, besides take the swag and the sauce?
What has America done for me, besides make mе kiss the ass of my boss?
What has America done for mе? Taught me profit and loss?
Had me runnin’ from the cop on the horse, just so I could cop me the Porsche?
What has America done for me? Showed me Snow White with the Dwarfs?
In real life, my parents got divorced
Yeah, my roof’s the same as Black Thought's
See, we had the strap when they bought beef
I’m at the blackboard with more to teach
Behind the backboard with them floor seats
I'm 'bout to be the only black with a board seat
So what has America done for me? Taught me the words to the Spangled Banner?
But I saw what’s the trap when I came to Atlanta
And what has America done for you?
The land of opportunity and W’s
Or you catchin’ L’s and they snubbin’ you
And that’s enough reason to see you dragged
Yet we pledge allegiance to this flag
[Interlude: Chuck D]
Killing
And the helicopters still hover like buzzards
We feel robbed
We threw our hands in the air, to the world
What has America done?

[Chorus: The World Famous Tony Williams & Choir, Chuck D]
What has America done, to my people?
What has America done? (What has America done? What has America done?)
What has America done, to my people?
What has America done? (What has America done? What has America done?)

[Verse 2: Consequence & Chuck D]
America was built on the backs of slaves, and those black slaves on they back and graves
Just without the accolades, or half the pay for the cash they made
They put the maid on the Aunt Jemima box
Broke up homes that had a mom and pop
So ain't no time for driving with no sambo
Mary had a lamb but traded that for a Lambo
So what has America done for me, made everything black and white?
Sat me in the bookings for half the night, then put me on parole 'til I'm actin' right?
And what has America done for me?
Show me that democracy got a Siamese twin named hypocrisy
But since I got the block unlocked to me, I went out and sold people soccer tees
And at the end of working's a capitalism
And when you add that to when I rap with a rhythm, of course they're coming back with the venom
So what has America done for me, push the goal line further? (What has America done?)
Accuse me of murder? Fed me French fries and burgers?
Gave me high blood pressure? Took my resource and treasures?
Raped our women and mommies? Made us dope fiends and zombies? (What has America done?)
Who say they gon' clean up, but just can't shake off the lean cup
So what has America done for you?
The land of opportunity and W's
[Chorus: The World Famous Tony Williams & Choir, Chuck D]
What has America done, to my people?
What has America done? (What has America done? What has America done?)
What has America done, to my people?
What has America done? (What has America done? What has America done?)

[Outro: Chuck D]
Know the Consequence
Know the consequences
And the ancestors can't rest
Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers
We threw our hands in the air to the world
To let 'em all know
What America has done