Billy Kemp - Benjamin Banneker Lyrics

Benjamin Banneker laid the lines for the city
Where the Capitol would soon come to be
He knew the sky he knew the math but always questioned
Why on earth cannot my people be set free

Benjamin Banneker loved the stars and the bible
He grew tobacco and he kept honey bees
He lived in a hollow in a place called Oella
Ay fifty eight he taught himself astronomy

Up early in the morning
Fields to tend
Sweet music in the evening
Under twinkling skies amen

Benjamin Banneker was the grandson of a slave man
Who sailed from Senegal the son of a chief
His grandmother Molly was a self made woman
Who saved her life in Londontown cause she could read

Benjamin Banneker never married but he had friends
Who lent him books he'd read at his desk by his bed
He taught himself all of his letters and his numbers
He made a clock that kept good time the people said

Tic Toc went his clock
Tobacco went rolling
Down to the docks
While the church bells were tolling

Benjamin Banneker loved to sit for many hours
In the afternoons and watch his bees
Then after supper he would play on his fiddle
And every night he'd give his thanks down on his knees

Lay down in the evening
Let his soul ascend
Deny his achievements
Over burning skies amen

Benjamin Banneker laid the lines for the city
Where the Capitol has come to be
He knew the stars he knew the math but always questioned
Why on earth cannot my people be set free