Easy to Remember
St. Germain Lyrics


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Here, at this final hour, in this quiet place
Harlem has come to bid farewell
To one of its brightest hopes
Extinguished now and gone from us, forever

For Harlem is where he worked
And where he struggled and fought
His home of homes, where his heart was
And where his people are

And it is therefore, most fitting
That we meet once again in Harlem
To share these last moments with him
The black man, black

For Harlem has ever been gracious
To those who have loved her, have fought for her
And have contended her honor
Even to the death

It is not in the memory of man that this [Incomprehensible], unfortunate
But nonetheless, proud community has found a braver
More gallant, young champion
Than this Afro-American, who lies before us
Black, black, black

Did you ever talk to brother Malcolm?
Did he ever touch you?
Did you have him smile at you?
Did you ever really listen to him?

Did he ever do a mean thing?
We must honor him




For what he was, and is
A prince, our black shinning prince

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of St. Germain's song "Easy to Remember" give us a glimpse into the mourning and farewell that was given to a young Afro-American man who was a champion of Harlem. The song starts by setting the scene of a quiet place where Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes. The person who once fought and struggled in Harlem is no longer with them, and the community is gathered to pay their respects. Harlem was not just a place where he worked or struggled, but it was where his heart and people were. In this final hour, it is fitting for the community to come together one last time to share their last moments with him.


The song talks about how Harlem has always been grateful to those who have loved her and fought for her, even until death. The young champion who lies before them was the bravest and most gallant of them all, and he was Afro-American. The song urges us to honor what he was and still is - a prince, our black shining prince. The lyrics ask whether we ever talked to Brother Malcolm or heard him speak, and whether he ever did a mean thing. The message behind the lyrics is that we must honor and recognize the achievements and sacrifices of the young champion who fought for Harlem.


Line by Line Meaning

Here, at this final hour, in this quiet place
We are gathered here in this solemn moment, in this peaceful setting.


Harlem has come to bid farewell
The community of Harlem has assembled to say goodbye.


To one of its brightest hopes
To an individual who represented one of its finest prospects.


Extinguished now and gone from us, forever
Who is no longer with us.


For Harlem is where he worked
Because Harlem is where he spent his time laboring.


And where he struggled and fought
And also where he faced adversity and engaged in conflict.


His home of homes, where his heart was
In fact, Harlem was the place he felt the most at home, where his affections lay.


And where his people are
It's also where his community resides.


And it is therefore, most fitting
Thus, it's very appropriate.


That we meet once again in Harlem
For us to gather anew in Harlem.


To share these last moments with him
So we may take part in these final moments with him.


The black man, black
A comment on his ethnicity, solely for emphasis.


For Harlem has ever been gracious
Harlem has always been generous.


To those who have loved her, have fought for her
To those who have developed affection for the area and have engaged in conflict on its behalf.


And have contended her honor
And have sought to protect its dignity.


Even to the death
Even to the point of one's death.


It is not in the memory of man that this [Incomprehensible], unfortunate
No one can recall such another sad and lamentable occurrence.


But nonetheless, proud community has found a braver
However, despite this tragedy, this proud group has discovered a more courageous person.


More gallant, young champion
One who is more chivalrous, valiant and victorious.


Than this Afro-American, who lies before us
Referring to the person who is no longer with us, who is lying before us, and highlighting race.


Black, black, black
A comment that reinforces race one last time.


Did you ever talk to brother Malcolm?
Have you ever had a conversation with Malcolm X?


Did he ever touch you?
Has he ever made a profound impact on you?


Did you have him smile at you?
Has he ever flashed a smile in your direction?


Did you ever really listen to him?
Have you ever truly listened to him and applied the knowledge gained from his words?


Did he ever do a mean thing?
Did he ever act in a hurtful and discourteous manner?


We must honor him
It is our duty to show him extraordinary respect.


For what he was, and is
This reverence must be shown for his past deeds and for what he represents to us today.


A prince, our black shining prince
He is an emblematic, illustrious, and exceptional figure in our community - one deserving of imperial distinction.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LUDOVIC NAVARRE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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