I was an August baby
Conceived by the Christmas lights  
I came into the world by the setting sun 
On a humid summer night 
When my grandmother held me for the very first time 
She thanked God I looked like my daddy 
And I never quite knew just what she meant 
But I knew she was a lit-tle too happy 
And now I see

Refrain:
You can't change a stubborn mind 
You can't see the world if your eyes are blind 
What does it matter anyway 
In our darkest hour we're all just shades of grey

They got married in a tiny chapel 
1965 
Malcolm X was on the radio
When he took her as his wife 
And she looked so pretty that September day 
And her older brother cried as he gave her away 
And the minister looked like he didn't know what to say 
And then he spoke

Refrain


And when my grandmother held me 
For the very first time 
She thanked God 
I looked like my daddy 
And I never gave a damn just what she meant 
But I knew she was a little too happy
And now I see
You can't change a stubborn mind 
You can't see the world if your eyes are blind 

What does it matter anyway 
In our darkest hour we're all just shades of grey 
In our darkest hour we're all just shades of 
Darkest hour we're all just 
Shades of grey - Hey, Hey, Hey 
It doesn't matter anyway Don't give a damn 
Don't give a damn 
Don't give a damn what they say 
We're all just shades of grey 
We're all just shades of grey 
Shades of grey