Washin' the floors to send you to college
Staying at home so you can feel safe
What do you think is the soul of her knowledge
What do you think that makes her feel safe

Biting her lips and lowering her eyes
To make sure there's food on the table
What do you think would leave her surprised
If the world were as willing as she's able

Hugging herself in an old kitchen chair
She listens to your hurt and your rage
What do you think she knows of despair
What is the aching of age

The fathers, the children, the brothers
Turn to her
And everybody white
Turns to her
What about her turning around alone
In the everyday light
There oughta be a woman can break down
Sit down, break down, sit down
Let everybody else call it quits on a Monday
Blues on Tuesday, sleep until Sunday down
Sit down, break down, sit down
A way out of no way
It's flesh out of flesh
It's courage that cries out at night
A way out of no way
It's flesh out of flesh
It's bravery kept out of sight
A way out of no way
It's too much to ask
It's too much of a task for any one woman