Billie you dazzle

though your life was a puzzle.

Your jazz voice was unique

and dressed fine from a boutique.

Raped and left

drugs were your best friend.

In your voice we can hear

the pain of your past years.

Billie, beautiful and black,

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.

Billie, beautiful and black

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.

Being black,

didn’t hold you back.

Your gender

didn’t make you surrender.

Your savior was your singing

Strange Fruit struggled to sing

for your brothers in the south

and no one could shut your mouth

Billie, beautiful and black

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.

Billie, beautiful and black

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.

Oh “Lady Day”, you found no other way.

You fought for civil rights

to see Blacks and Whites

sitting side by side.

Billie, beautiful and black

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.

Billie, beautiful and black

strong woman, no mask.

Always in a bad mood

that was you.