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Black People Played Their Part

A special song looking back at the contributions of Black Britons throughout history.

MUSIC BY

Richie Webb

FROM

Series 9 Episode 1 (British Black History Animated Special)

LYRICS:

Please lend me your ears

For this news I shall impart

You may not have been told

We have been here from the start.

We worked in the Stone Age,

Went to war with Bonaparte;

Before these isles were British

Black people played their part.

Cheddar man was Mesolithic

10, 000 years from now,

When the animals were terrific

(You should see his giant cow.)

And the Roman Emperor General

And the brave Aurelian Moors,

Were just a few of several

Who walked upon these shores.

Listen to the tales

And these words I shall impart

Before Harold lost at Hastings

Black people played their part.

Queen Catherine and Henry

Had a trumpeter called John

And a maid call Catalina

But from history books they're gone!

Of naked Georgian writers

And the stars of boxing rings

To the battlefields of Europe

And the Windrush I can sing

Please lend me your ears

For this news I shall impart

Before Harold lost at Hastings

Black people played their part.

These histories are just stories, there's truths for us to see

That for 10, 000 British years some Brits have looked like me.

And today the future's hopeful; Rashford and Stormzy light the way

Evaristo, Blackman, Hamilton, Kaluuya and many more names to say.

Listen to the tales

There are words to fill your heart

You may not have been told

We have been here from the start.

Try to map our journey

You will need a bigger chart

Before these isles were British

Black people played their part.

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Horrible Histories Series 9 Episode 1 - British Black History Animated Special - 15 SONG T

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