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.