Marc Shaiman
Run and Tell That
[SEAWEED]
Hey, I can't see
Why people look at me
And only see the color of my face
And then there's those
That try to help, god knows
But always have to put me in my place
Now I won't ask you to be color blind
'Cause if you pick the fruit
Then, girl, you're sure to find
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
Now, I could say it ain't so
But darlin', what's the use?
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
And that's where it's at
Now run and tell that!
[ENSEMBLE]
Run and tell that!
[SEAWEED]
Run and tell that!
[ENSEMBLE]
Run and tell that!
[SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE]
I can't see
Why people disagree
Each time I tell them what I know is true
And if you come
And see the world I'm from
1 bet your heart is gonna feel it too
Now, I could lie
But, baby, let's be bold
Vanilla be nice
But if the truth be told
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
Now, I could say it ain't so
But darlin', what's the use
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
That's where it's at
Now, baby, baby, run and tell that!
[The scene shifts to Motormouth Maybelle's record shop dance party where her daughter Little Inez and her friends are already in full swing.]
[LITTLE INEZ, spoken]
Hey, you're Tracy! You're my favorite dancer on the Corny Collins Show
[SEAWEED, spoken]
This is my sister, Little Inez
[TRACY, spoken]
I saw you at the auditions
[LITTLE INEZ, spoken]
And you got on the show! Good for you, 'cause they kicked me out on my young, gifted and black behind
[SEAWEED, spoken]
Show them what you got, girl
[LITTLE INEZ]
I'm tired of coverin' up all my pride
[SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE]
So give me five on the black-hand side
[LITTLE INEZ]
I've got a new way of movin'
And I got my own voice
[SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE]
So how can I help
But to shout and rejoice
[LITTLE INEZ]
Oh, the people 'round here
Can barely pay their rent
They're try'n to make dollar
Out 'a fifteen cent
But we got a spirit
Money just can't buy
[LITTLE & ENSEMBLE]
It's deep as a river
And soars to the sky, to the sky!
[SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE]
I can't see
The reason it can't be
The kinda world where we all get our chance
The time is now
And we can show them how
Just turn the music up and let's all dance
'Cause all things are equal
When it comes to love
Well, that ain't quite true
'Cause when push comes to shove
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
Now, I could say it ain't so
But darlin', what's the use
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
And that's where it's at
[SEAWEED]
That's where it's at!
Now, baby, run and tell that!
[ENSEMBLE]
Run and tell that!
[SEAWEED]
You better run and tell that!
[ENSEMBLE]
Run and tell that!
[SEAWEED]
Oh, sugar, oh run and tell
You better run and tell that!