Written by: John Mellencamp and George M. Green



I stand here a black man I have no history

I was brought up in East Chicago And I grew up on the streets

The chains around the playground were the chains around my heart

The brand upon my shoulder Well it reminds you who you are



And it all comes true Yes it all comes true

Like a wheel inside a wheel It turns on you

And you think, What have I done? What can I do?

What you believe about yourself

It all comes true



I was just a young girl My mother called me