Way Back to Paradise - Audra McDonald

We are ruled by our brothers

We are ruled by our husbands

We jump at the voices of our masters

And do what they say

We are bartered and traded

Along with cattle and cotton

We have to beautiful

And it helps to have a dowery of some kind

We have to show humility

And have the presence of mind

To never complain

And they say it’s our fault

We were thrown out of eden

To be turned into salt

But there is a way back to paradise, there is a way

Study all men, learn what they lack

Sweeten and stroke before you attack

Put up a front, and then slip through the back

Be on your way back to paradise

Long ago, back in Eden (Eden)

When we didn’t need husbands (Husbands)

We danced to the voices in the garden

And had our own way

We were taught by our mothers

Along the river of knowledge (By the river of knowledge)

Our garden was beautiful

Until the angels came to call

And on the wings of jealousy

They brought down the fall

And gave the garden to men (Ah)

And put it out of our touch (Ah)

We were thrown out of eden (Ah)

For knowing to much

But there is a way back to paradise, there is a way

Bide your time (Bide your time)

Be clever and wise (Clever and wise)

When you look at a man (When you look at a man)

Look him straight in the eyes (Straight in the eyes)

Do not be seduced, tell him elegant lies

Be on your way

Be on your way back to paradise