I see a freckled nose and want it painted black
No pale skin any more, I want it painted black
I see the real Blacks walk by, dressed in summer clothes
I have to paint some more until my darkness grows

I tell a line of bullshit about being black
Still painting myself darker behind everyone's back
I see people scratch their heads and quickly look away
Oh did I miss a spot with my blacking spray?

I look inside myself and wish my heart was black
I see my white core I must have it painted black
Maybe then I'll blend right in and not have to face the facts
It's not easy taking a bath when you're just painted black

No more will Mom and Dad keep their goll-damn mouths closed
They've told the newspapers and now my career's hosed
Perhaps if I lay long enough out in the blazing sun
My skin will get so dark I'll really become one

I see a freckled nose and want it painted black
No pale skin any more, I want it painted black
I see the real Blacks walk by, dressed in summer clothes
I have to paint some more until my darkness grows

I wanna be all painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the white blotted out from my skin
I wanna be all painted, painted, painted, painted black