Lyrics Run And Tell That - Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman

Run And Tell That

SEAWEED
Hey Trace, my moms pitching a platter party at our record shop up off North
Avenue.
Wanna come «check it out»?
PENNY
May i also come «check it out?
SEAWEED
Oh, you surely may!
TRACY
I’ve never been to North Avenue!
LINK
would it b safe up there for, you know… us?
SEAWEED
Yeah dont worry cracker boy, It’s cool!
PENNY
Imagine, being invited places by colored people!
TRACY
It feels so hip!
SEAWEED
I’m glad you feel that way, friends, 'cause not everybody does.
I can’t see
Why people look at me And only see the color of my face
yes they do And then there’s those
That try to help, god knows
But have to always put me in my place
Now i won’t ask you to be color blind
'Cause if you pick the fruit
Then girl, you’re sure to find…
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
I could say it ain’t so But darlin', what’s the use?
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
And that’s where it’s at…
…now run and tell that!
ENSEMBLE
Run and tell that!
SEAWEED
Run and tell that!
ENSEMBLE
Run and tell that!
SEAWEED (& ENSEMBLE)
I can’t see
Why people disagree
Each time i tell them what i know is true
And if you come
And see the world i’m from
I bet your heart is gonna feel it too
Yeah.
I could lie
But baby.
Let’s be bold
Vanilla be nice
But if the truth be told…
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
I could say it ain’t so But darlin', what’s the use
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
And That’s where it’s at Now run and tell that!
ENSEMBLE
Run and tell that!
(The scene shifts to Motormouth Maybelle’s record shop dance party where her
daughter Li’l Inez and her friends are already in full swing.)
LI’L INEZ
Hey, you’re Tracy Turnblad!
You’re my favorite dancer on the Corny Collins Show.
SEAWEED
This is my sister, Li’l Inez.
TRACY
Yeah, I saw you at the auditions.
LI’L INEZ
Well, you’re the only one who
did, 'cause they kicked me out
on my young, gifted and black
behind.
SEAWEED
Tell 'em about it!
LI’L INEZ
I’m tired of coverin' up all my pride
SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE
So give me five on the black-hand side
LI’L INEZ
I’ve got a new way of movin'
And i got my own voice
SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE
So how can i help
But to shout and rejoice
LI’L INEZ
The people 'round here
Can barely pay their rent
They’re «try'n to make dollar
Out 'a fifteen cent»
But we got a spirit
Money just cant buy
LI’L INEZ & ENSEMBLE
It’s deep as a river
It soars to the sky!
SEAWEED & ENSEMBLE
I cant see
The reason it cant be The kinda world where we all get our chance
The time is now
And we can show them how
To turn the music up and let’s all dance
'Cause all things are equal
When it comes to love
Well, that ain’t quite true
'Cause when a push comes to shove…
The blacker the berry
The sweeter the juice
I could say it ain’t so But darlin', what’s the use
The darker the chocolate
The richer the taste
That’s where it’s at SEAWEED
…Now run and tell that!
ENSEMBLE
Run and tell that!
SEAWEED
Run and tell that!