Once again, I'm rendered typeless...

To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand
When I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I’m a Skynyrd fan
The red flag on my chest somehow is like the elephant in the corner of the south
And I just walked him right in the room
Just a proud rebel son with an ‘ol can of worms
Lookin’ like I got a lot to learn but from my point of view

I’m just a white man comin’ to you from the southland
Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be
I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done
And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn’t start this nation
We’re still pickin’ up the pieces, walkin’ on eggshells, fightin’ over yesterday
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

They called it Reconstruction, fixed the buildings, dried some tears
We’re still siftin’ through the rubble after a hundred-fifty years
I try to put myself in your shoes and that’s a good place to begin
But it ain’t like I can walk a mile in someone else’s skin

‘Cause I’m a white man livin’ in the southland
Just like you I’m more than what you see
I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done
And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
Our generation didn’t start this nation
And we’re still paying for mistakes
That a bunch of folks made long before we came
And caught between southern pride and southern blame

Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood
What the world is really like when you’re livin’ in the hood
Just because my pants are saggin’ doesn’t mean I’m up to no good
You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would
Now my chains are gold but I’m still misunderstood
I wasn’t there when Sherman’s March turned the south into firewood
I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could
Feel like a new fangled Django, dodgin’ invisible white hoods
So when I see that white cowboy hat, I’m thinkin’ it’s not all good
I guess we’re both guilty of judgin’ the cover not the book
I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air
But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here

I’m just a white man
(If you don’t judge my do-rag)
Comin’ to you from the southland
(I won’t judge your red flag)
Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be

I’m proud of where I’m from
(If you don’t judge my gold chains)
But not everything we’ve done
(I’ll forget the iron chains)
it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
(Can’t re-write history baby)

Oh, Dixieland
(The relationship between the Mason-Dixon needs some fixin’)
I hope you understand what this is all about
(Quite frankly I’m a black Yankee but I’ve been thinkin’ about this lately)
I’m a son of the new south
(The past is the past, you feel me)
And I just want to make things right
(Let bygones be bygones)
Where all that’s left is southern pride
(RIP Robert E. Lee but I’ve gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean)
It’s real, it’s real
It’s truth

Brad Paisley and LL cool J. I just,,,, What even.

I keep seeing this thing showing up on Twitter and FB and I'm just not strong enough to listen to it yet.

Marceline,

Don't bother. It sounds like hot garbage. Both Brad & LL need they asses whooped for this atrocious mess. Not b/c of the msg, but b/c of the sound. If hip hop & country are going to interact, please follow suit of Nelly & Tim McGraw's "Over and Over Again." That was a great example on how it can be done.

I understand what they are trying to achieve, but this song is nothing but generalizations, which makes me dislike it. IDK who the hell LL Cool J is speaking but it sure as hell isn't me. I don't sag my pants, wear gold chains, or don a do-rag. I'm classy . . . well in my mind I am. And many of my white male friends don't wear confederate flags and listen to Lynard Skynard.

I understand where they're coming from and what they're trying to do, but the execution is all wrong in so many ways, the lyrics are very simplistic, etc. Brad and LL are officially old men.

I don't sag my pants, wear gold chains, or don a do-rag.

BOUGIE!

Marceline,

Don't bother. It sounds like hot garbage.

I should've listened to you. That was awful.

I’m just a white man

(If you don’t judge my do-rag)
Comin’ to you from the southland
(I won’t judge your red flag)
Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be

I’m proud of where I’m from
(If you don’t judge my gold chains)
But not everything we’ve done
(I’ll forget the iron chains)
it ain’t like you and me can re-write history
(Can’t re-write history baby)

Oh, my God! To Youtube it is.

I understand where they're coming from and what they're trying to do, but the execution is all wrong in so many ways, the lyrics are very simplistic, etc.

My thoughts exactly.

Edited April 10, 201312 yr by YRBB

I am not sure I am strong enough to listen to this yet.

Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood
What the world is really like when you’re livin’ in the hood
Just because my pants are saggin’ doesn’t mean I’m up to no good
You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would
Now my chains are gold but I’m still misunderstood
I wasn’t there when Sherman’s March turned the south into firewood
I want you to get paid but be a slave I never could
Feel like a new fangled Django, dodgin’ invisible white hoods
So when I see that white cowboy hat, I’m thinkin’ it’s not all good
I guess we’re both guilty of judgin’ the cover not the book
I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air
But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here

Both Brad & LL need they asses whooped for this atrocious mess

YES!

I can't even find it!

My friend wanted me to really listen to this and the few lyrics she posted on her FB page made me not want to listen to it. The title by itself is just ... I get what they're doing and so far I've side eyes the hell out of LL since he came out with Ratchet.

BOUGIE!

You know it!

I should've listened to you. That was awful.

Told you. LMAO!

I've side eyes the hell out of LL since he came out with Ratchet.

Not that I've had any use for him since his pre-Botox lip-licking prime, but what is this Ratchet that you speak of?

I am not sure I am strong enough to listen to this yet.

Don't.

Learn from my mistake.