My Mother Would Say

May 10, 2025 In

Unpublished

I grew up in a turbulent time
In the class of ’69
Dr. King and JFK
Were taken in their prime

Air so thick with prejudice
Could slice through it with a knife
From Kimberly Rose to George Floyd
When will we get things right

White guys in pickup trucks
The neighborhoods in fear
Driving by with rifle racks
What are they doing here

My father died when I was young
With three children to raise
Mother sheltered us from the storm
Through the love she gave

My, my mother would say
When the door opens walk through
My, my mother would say
Always walk a mile
in someone’s shoes
walk on through

Don’t know what we could have done
To have made it through
Without the help of the government
Good neighbors just like you

With the war raging
I knew I couldn’t go
Take the life of someone else
After I left home

My, my mother would say
When the door opens walk through
My, my mother would say
Always walk a mile
in someone’s shoes
walk on through
From Standing Rock in a pickup bed
Into a paddy wagon with three nuns
From the farmers tractorcade
Onto a freedom run

Travel destroys prejudice
My calling I had found
To injustice I object
Standing on sacred ground
Can you hear that freedom sound?

My, my mother would say
When the door opens walk through
My, my mother would say
Always walk a mile
in someone’s shoes
walk on through

No one can defeat us
Nor break us apart
When we surround hatred with love
The jewel lives within our hearts

Those who have the least
Often have the most to give
Thank you for all you do
Be kind to all that live
All that we have is what we give

My, my mother would say
When the door opens walk through
My, my mother would say
Always walk a mile
in someone’s shoes
walk on through

These are things that are sacred
They cannot be sold
They cannot be bought
More priceless than silver and gold
This I know

My, my mother would say
When the door opens walk through
My, my mother would say
Always walk a mile
in someone’s shoes
walk on through

Words & Music by Amanda White, David Davis, Anthony Galloway, Julia McBride-Biddy, Elizabeth Bottolene, Kimberly Wieberdusaire, Renee Robinson, Amanda Bauer, Freida Bailey, Carlos Siquenza, Joseph Thomas, Larry Long, Patrick Duffy, Devrae Hudson, Cameron Muata.

*Song collectively written at Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song 3-Day Teachers Workshop held September 15th, 22nd and October 5th at Lenox Community Center through the St. Louis Park School District.

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My Mother Would Say