Blue Scholars - Yuri Kochiyama lyrics

Oh, yeah! I got that third world militant
Still think it's relevant
Even if them kids copped the
Shirts and stopped wearin' 'em
Humbled in the presence of the veterans
And not the ones who picked up their guns
But who picked up their
Brethren and sister and
History in the making I was witnessin'
Listenin', seein' this old Japanese lady with
A sticker on her walker
Said "Free Mumia" and
This was before the Trustafarians
Were sayin' it taking it for granted that we
Talk about the 60's and
Never get to talk to anybody who done
Lived this shit and still exist
Or better yet, shit, she still resist
Speaking to a myriad of young
Dumb and ignorant kids i was one of 'em
Stuck around lingering
Said that "It's a privilege to
Meet you in person" and she took my hand
Said "It's good to meet you too"
And when I'm out of school asked
Me what I'm gonna do
I had to think about it, but truth is I knew
That it was something for the youth and shit
Truly I'd probably be a teacher if
The music didn't make enough
To make me wanna gamble on it's sustenance
And that's why I'm writing this
To tell y'all from a scholar

When I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
Holla, swear to my kasamas
When I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
And if she ever hear this it's an honor
Cause when I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
Imma, serve the people proper
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama

I see the picture up in Life magazine
You were sittin' front seat
For Malcolm's last speech
Saw the first man with the shotgun (Boom)
Two more came to get the job done
Now who would've thought that it'd
Be you holding him?
I wonder what you felt when
His eyes were going dim
And if he never died
Would we know that he exists?
Or would he have been the leader
That we always seem to miss?
Now there's no taking back whatever
Happens in our midst
You remind me that it's more than
Just a martyr and a myth
You could've said it quit's many times
Ever since and you find
There will always be a reason for the fist
The last one to hold him
Could've been somebody else
You'd still be remembered for the
People that you helped
They said to keep trying
But never losing hope
Revolutionaries die, but the revolution don't
And it won't and I put that on my momma

Cause when I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
Holla, swear to my kasamas
When I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
And if she ever hear this it's an honor
Cause when I grow up I wanna
Be just like Yuri Kochiyama
Imma, serve the people proper
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama
When I grow up I wanna be like Yuri Kochiyama