Gil Scott-Heron On Coming From A Broken Home, Pt. 1 lyrics

I want to make this a special tribute
To a family that contradicts the concepts
Heard the rules but wouldn't accept

And women-folk raised me
And I was full grown before I knew
I came from a broken home

Sent to live with my grandma down south
When my uncles was leaving
And my grandfather had just left for heaven
They said and as every ologist would certainly note

I had no strong male figure, right?
But Lily Scott was absolutely not your mail
Order room service type cast black grandmother
I was moved in with her temporarily, just until things were patched

Til this was patched and 'til that was patched
Until I became at 3, 4, 5,6 ,7, 8, 9 and 10
The patch that held lily Scott who held me and like them
For I become one more and I loved her


From the absolute marrow of my bones
And we was holdin' on, I come from a broken home
She had more than the 5 senses
She knew more than books could teach

And raised everyone she touched just a little bit higher
And all around her there was a natural sense
As though she sensed what the stars say what the birds say
What the wind and the clouds say

A sensual soul and self that African sense
And she raised me like she raised 4 of her own
And I was hurt and scared and shocked
When Lily Scott left suddenly one night

And they sent a limousine from heaven
To take her to God if there is one
So I knew she had gone
And I came from a broken home