Lyrics Way Back to Paradise - Audra McDonald

Way Back to Paradise

We are ruled by our brothers
We are ruled by our husbands
We jump at the voices of our masters
And do what they say
We are bartered and traded
Along with cattle and cotton
We have to beautiful
And it helps to have a dowery of some kind
We have to show humility
And have the presence of mind
To never complain
And they say it’s our fault
We were thrown out of eden
To be turned into salt
But there is a way back to paradise, there is a way
Study all men, learn what they lack
Sweeten and stroke before you attack
Put up a front, and then slip through the back
Be on your way back to paradise
Long ago, back in Eden (Eden)
When we didn’t need husbands (Husbands)
We danced to the voices in the garden
And had our own way
We were taught by our mothers
Along the river of knowledge (By the river of knowledge)
Our garden was beautiful
Until the angels came to call
And on the wings of jealousy
They brought down the fall
And gave the garden to men (Ah)
And put it out of our touch (Ah)
We were thrown out of eden (Ah)
For knowing to much
But there is a way back to paradise, there is a way
Bide your time (Bide your time)
Be clever and wise (Clever and wise)
When you look at a man (When you look at a man)
Look him straight in the eyes (Straight in the eyes)
Do not be seduced, tell him elegant lies
Be on your way
Be on your way back to paradise