SUMMER
T Red Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A lazy rain am I
The skies refuse to cry
Cremation takes its piece of your supply
The night is dressed like noon
A sailor spoke too soon
And China's on the dark side of the moon

(Hit me now)

Platypus are a few
The secret life of roo
A personality I never knew (get it on)
My Greta weighs a ton
The archers on the run
And no one stands alone behind the sun

It's been a long time since I made a new friend
Waitin' on another black summer to end
It's been a long time and you never know when
Waitin' on another black summer to end

Crack the flaming whip
A-sailing on a censorship
Riding on a headless horse to make the trip

Been a long time since I made a new friend
Waitin' on another black summer to end
It's been a long time and you never know when
Waitin' on another black summer to end

I been waitin'
I been waitin'
Waitin' on another black summer to end
I been waitin'
I been waitin'
Waitin' on another black summer to end
I been waitin'

I been waitin'
Waitin' on another black summer to end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of T Red's song "Summer" are quite abstract in nature and can be interpreted in multiple ways. It starts with the singer describing himself as a "lazy rain" while the skies refuse to cry, indicating a sense of stagnation and hopelessness. The line "Cremation takes its piece of your supply" may refer to death and the finite nature of life. The following line "The night is dressed like noon" is a metaphor indicating how everything seems bleak and gloomy even during the daytime. The line "A sailor spoke too soon" is ambiguous but may refer to the consequences of speaking without thinking.

The next stanza includes references to different animals like platypus and kangaroos and their secret lives. The singer then talks about a person named Greta who weighs a ton, which could either refer to her physical weight or her emotional baggage. The line "The archers on the run" could mean that even those in power or those who seem strong are vulnerable and running away from something. Finally, the line "And no one stands alone behind the sun" could mean that no one is truly happy or content, and everyone is struggling in their own way.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "Waitin' on another black summer to end" multiple times, indicating a sense of longing for something better. The lines "Crack the flaming whip" and "Riding on a headless horse to make the trip" could either refer to a sense of recklessness and risk-taking or a feeling of not being in control of one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

A lazy rain am I
I am sluggish and unmotivated

The skies refuse to cry
It is not raining despite the dark clouds

Cremation takes its piece of your supply
The cost of funeral services is expensive and takes a toll on finances

The night is dressed like noon
The darkness of night is as bright as day

A sailor spoke too soon
Someone has revealed information prematurely

And China's on the dark side of the moon
There are things unknown or hidden, much like the side of the moon we cannot see

Platypus are a few
Platypuses are rare or unique animals

The secret life of roo
There is a mystery surrounding the life of kangaroos

A personality I never knew (get it on)
There is a side to someone's personality that is surprising or unknown

My Greta weighs a ton
A burden or weight is associated with someone named Greta

The archers on the run
People are fleeing or avoiding danger from archers

And no one stands alone behind the sun
Everyone is connected to each other and the world, even if not visible

It's been a long time since I made a new friend
The singer has not made a new friend in a while

Waitin' on another black summer to end
The singer is longing for a difficult period to come to a close

Crack the flaming whip
Someone is exerting control or authority in a forceful way

A-sailing on a censorship
Navigating through a period of restriction or suppression of information or speech

Riding on a headless horse to make the trip
Attempting to accomplish something without proper resources or guidance

I been waitin'
The singer has been waiting for something

Waitin' on another black summer to end
The singer is longing for a difficult period to come to a close

I been waitin'
The artist has been waiting for something

Waitin' on another black summer to end
The artist is longing for a difficult period to come to a close

I been waitin'
The artist has been waiting for something

Waitin' on another black summer to end
The singer is longing for a difficult period to come to a close

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anthony Kiedis, Chad Gaylord Smith, John Anthony Frusciante, Michael Peter Balzary

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Oxtocoatl

2y↑321

It's disgraceful how black veterans have been treated in the aftermath of all of America's wars. Thank you once again for excellent, if bone-chilling content. I shiver every time I hear Southern Trees play. Billie Holiday's voice perfectly captures the at the time completely mundane and every day horror of lynchings.

Sin00b

2y↑239

Tough watch, but necessary. I find myself screaming at the screen "This was 100 years ago... why does it sound like TODAY?" Especially when anything relating to black lives is compared to Socialism. History is repeating itself, and I'm grateful that resources like this share important history that hopefully others will watch, learn, and empathize with so we don't do it again

Raymond Luxury-Yacht

2y↑181

Many Aboriginal people of Australia looked to black Americans as a model for gaining self determination. These efforts by American civil rights leaders echoed around the world.

idbuyanewbmx

2y↑154

I keep breathing through my nose like an angry bull, hearing about atrocities that every American should have been taught already. This series is a blessing. We cannot let these crimes recess into the shadows. I can't thank you enough for making this program.

TheLadyBeatrice

2y↑100

My mom read a book called “ the warmth of other suns” about the discrimination black people went through in the north. That might be worth talking about

NIM

2y↑79

I am a descendant of the East St.Louis race war in 1917. My father described it to me in as much detail as he could. Today my family honors that struggle every July 2nd.

Kevin Xu

2y↑136

I didn't realize how ancient the "it's the communists!" excuse was in dimissing black anger at white violence, pretty sad that things haven't seemed to progress much since 1918

Kassy L

2y↑42

I need Black American literature next. I love this series. I am using it with my high school students!

Jason M

2y↑39

I struggle to articulate the violence that my ancestors lived through. Ancestors is the wrong term because my father and grandfather lived through this. This series is so necessary

Kairyu & Mina

2y↑740

I have said it before, and I will probably say it again. This series is simply the best content yet produced by Crash course.

Niko M

2y↑25

If not the best, then the most important.

aaronnokaoi

2y↑13

The best!

why chooose a user name ?

2y↑11

I could not agree more

Fráncis

2y↑10

agreed!!

Autonomic_Pilot

2y↑13

As a voracious consumer of CC content, I echo this resoundingly

1 More Replies...

Natalie Tan

2y↑28

Thank you Crash Course and PBS for creating a free space of quality education! Sending love from Singapore.

Tray Sexton

2y↑31

Truly one of the best if not the best crash course series we’ve had so far. Clint is an incredible host and presents history in such a poignant and truthful manner. Calming and collective

Guy Souriandt

2y↑44

These episodes are always like a punch in the stomach. The more factual detail given, the more you realize that the situation was worse than you thought, and the more difficult it is to watch. It never ceases to amaze me how we continue to underestimate the levels of indignity human beings are able to enthusiastically inflict on each other. It seems to me that this era of institutionalized lynching seems to be a key period in the development of the structural racism in local U.S. law enforcement and the consequent distrust that black communities in the U.S. have for the police. The fact that so much of this persists makes things seem so hopeless. That being said, what I'd find interesting, instructive, and and a morale boost if there are examples of communities in this era that were integrated and managed to consciously diffuse or avoid these pogroms ('race riots' to me implies two equal sides equally to blame) and worked hard to protect their black citizens under trying circumstances. I would say that this is where the most useful lessons of American history may lie.

TheSelene8705

2y↑61

I never learned about this in school. This series is so necessary, I’m going to have my son watch it.

Cara The Strange

2y↑294

This series is soo necessary, I’m learning so much!

Nils Hopf

2y↑59

Why is this not known better in the international space? It is the first time I heard of those riots. As a German I will not judge because I don't want to be judged by the deeds of my grandparents. But man, at least it should not be forgotten!

Humbulani Mulaudzi

2y↑15

Thank you for the stories. I am proud of the Black brothers who stood up for their rights.

Julie Gerien

2y↑15

This is so well done! I wish the schools would use them as teaching supplements!

coldblindjack

2y↑20

This series is so necessary and amazing. I love John but sometimes he talks so quickly. Clint is a spoken word poet and I hang on everything he says! My American History students love him!

J'sai Alexander

2y↑155

There is a lot of early 20th century black history that a lot of people don’t know about. This is just one of them

Dan The Youtube Adict

2y↑38

10:55 When I hear you say that I was literally left speechless. I know that the U.S. is still FAR from having true racial equity (and unfortunately I doubt ever will) but I had thought that there were enough sensible people at some point within the past 102 years to have passed some form of anti-lynching laws. Thank you for being unafraid to tell the harsh truth about just how bad the white people in the U.S. have been towards their fellow humans who just happen to have a different color of skin.

Jacob Zaki

2y↑17

Watching and learning from this series is a privilege. Thank you.

Sean Simms

2y↑49

Many of us older folks had parents who grew up in the old south and heard about alot of this through them...my dads uncle was born in 1905, first free person from his maternal grandmother said of the family, he told my dad about alot of crap...and my father and other family elders passed it on to us in the 1970s.

Austin Crocker

2y↑27

Was waiting for a video to hear the discussions about violence against black people after WW1. Thank you for sharing for everyone, and having the strength to share it.

Rochelle Brianna

2y↑25

My body trembled during this episode. Loved the quote by James Weldon Johnson before he closed out 👏🏽

LuminaryPrism75

2y↑14

I didn’t know enough about this. Thank you crash course, for dealing with this subject so appropriately and pushing the story farther into the mainstream.

X Jackson

2y↑13

Such an important series!
It's truly painful to hear what our ancestors had to go through, but at the same time it's empowering and also necessary!

Tony

2y↑15

I love this series. The amount of truth learned has been astonishing. Some I knew, but not the full picture and a lot I didn’t. Thank you so much.

MrTwenty20video

2y↑1

This was such an excellent sampling of American history. I so appreciate your work. I know a lot goes into such an important presentation. Thank all of you for your commitment. ❤

citronm1

2y↑8

This series is outstanding!
Thank you Clint Smith and thank you Crash Course.

Brinkleymaster

2y↑14

As soon I read the title, I say to myself, this episode is going to be very difficult to watch but also we have to understand and very important for all of us.

Cat Randle

2y↑8

So inspiring and so tough to watch and so necessary to watch. Thank you to teaching us about so many uplifting and inspirational black people.

William Wells

2y↑2

Yet again CCBAH is superb, informative, fair, and brilliant. This series is a triumph of education

Aiai Monkey

2y↑20

The period following WWI was the most violent period in race relations in US history. Elaine occured that year in Arkansas, and Tulsa was just 2 years away. Black WWI veterans were prime targets for lynching.

marlon bascombe

2y↑16

Love the last quote!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
It’s still so applicable even in 2021!!!

Keturah-Abigail

2y↑73

Currently reading a book with the same title. I have learned so much from history and also see history repeating itself in some ways.

Nathniel O'Leary

2y↑3

It is disturbing to hear of the horrible things that people do to each other but this in vital to know. Thank you as always Clint

SodaVampire

2y↑21

Wow, I did not know about these moments in history. Black history in the early 1900s before the 30s aren’t usually covered in school, or at least not in my experience.

Kurt Kreuger

2y↑10

Great series. Timely, informative, and well done. Thank you.

Saahil Iyer

2y↑19

2:45 It’s interesting how this split in views on military service parallels the similar split Indians faced during WWI and WWII when confronted with the idea of fighting for the British.

Kenya Thompson

2y↑9

Just watched the entirety of this series today. Such a great presentation of such important history. Looking forward to the rest!

William Hunter

2y↑6

Thank you for this excellent series, Dr. Smith.

chamilitary07

2y↑6

You've made my day. Thank for the history lesson.

Tricia Hutchins

2y↑10

Thanks for your enthusiastic recommendation of the writings of Frederick Douglass. I have finished the first volume of his biography, and it is riveting. Thanks, also, for your excellent, informative and much needed course.

Natalie Stewart

2y↑16

Thank you for this information, I also wish I learned stuff like this in school but it's better late than never and I will share these with everybody I can

Chintan Shah

2y↑9

I'm very, very glad you guys covered this. I hope you guys also cover the Hot Summer of 67

Tenzin

2y↑5

Very well explained and was totally immersed in the content. I am hearing it for the first time though I have read about the situation of the south. Thank You for sharing!

Ajm B

2y↑9

This content adds such great understanding and depth to my life.

Bram Sebio-Rangel

2y↑6

Thanks for doing the talk at Sam Houston State University. It was awesome to meet you, Clint!

Caterfree10

2y↑16

I’ve heard that Strange Fruit song sung as part of a TED Talk. It’s eerie as hell.

Marseyas Fernandez

2y↑6

So important. This series is fantastic. 🙏🏿

destiny

2y↑6

Thank you for this amazing series

E.T.G

2y↑5

Again, pure gold. Thank you.

Pheltatune

2y↑12

Yo Harlem Renaissance is getting TWO PARTS THO?? I'm hyped

Vvmopz

2y↑6

This series is great.

Gloria smith

2y↑5

Please continue to share these videos!!.

Malik Bennett

46w↑1

I knew most of this from a community college black history class, but this was presented better! I'll share this in light of how 2023 has been going...

thecaveofthedead

2y↑7

Extraordinarily powerful quote at the end.

Joanne Wilson

40w

I'm having my granddaughters watch your history shorts. They will be tested. Keep them coming

GGRIENER

2y↑5

Well Done.👍 Excellence. Keep going!

Chris F

12:14 The perseverance of our ancestors in a country that at every stop was against them prospering makes all the challenges that I've ever faced seem inconsequential. These were truly a caliber of people to look up to. Able to endure hardships that would crush the average person three times over. They looked evil square in the face and refused to run from it.

Lady Rain

2y↑2

Why does this series not touch on the Tulsa Massacre?

Its a phenomenal series. No criticism. I was just looking forward to the break down and contextualizing the horrors.

Michael Hendsbee

2y↑16

This episode was intense. Unrelated… I wonder if anyone has written a what if alternate history where Tulsa wasn't fire bombed in the Tulsa Race Massacre. What would the economic status of 20th century black Americans have been in that world?

Lizbeth Chang🌺

2y↑6

I'm learning a lot here, thanks 🥰

GameOnRadio!

2y↑49

I have the book on the root that happened here in Chicago that year. And did my black history report in high school about 23 years ago

Natural Phenomenon

2y↑5

Thank you for making this!

Kelley McCarter

1y↑1

“How the Word is Passed” should be mandatory reading in every high school and college basic civics class.

Him

1y↑1

Thank you, I’m a mixed male and never got to educate myself on my brother and sisters history. For that I apologize

Rusty Shackleford

1y↑3

There's an old account from a man who was at a parade for the returning veterans. One of the soldiers was attempting a rifle toss, but he was holding it sideways when he tossed the damn thing and it discharged into the crowd. Lieutenant Leroy kind of brought the riot on himself, even if by accident.

kd1s

2y↑11

Thanks. Yeah we're not taught a lot about U.S. history. I wonder why. Note the dripping sarcasm when I say that.

Zoe Hudson

2y↑6

that last quote from james weldon johnson is beautiful.

William O'Farrill

2y↑9

I learnt about the Red Summer in high school and I went to a public school in Puerto Rico. They might not teach that in the US—I can’t tell, but they do in other parts where it might not be even relevant (no offense coming from a Latino).

Trevor Williams

2y↑9

Is it worth noting that the 1918 influenza pandemic was happening simultaneously as the red summer?

Ricky Bullock

2y↑4

Thus is difficult to grasp but it is our history we must never forget

Manufactured Fear

2y↑3

The most scary part is realizing there are people today with that racist mentality and the same thoughts this people had 100 years ago...

épinards & caramel

2y↑6

That intro was heartwrenching

Ogunrinde Daniel

2y↑2

Pls post all the episodes at once 😩. I hate waiting a week to see an episode 😭

Amy G

2y↑5

I wonder what it was like in Canada after the war for similar communities here....

Joe H

2y↑14

I would love an African history series.
Mainly to fill the gaps in our world historical knowledge.
But also to show black people living in the Americas or Europe that there’s more to their history than oppression and slavery.

Dirk Wood

2y↑7

I live in Chicago and never knew about the massacres and bombings.

Mountain of Inspiration

2y↑33

Thanks for all these videos. Blessings

Chrissy Stewart

1y↑1

This is my first time learning this

Jason Davis

2y↑10

Is this the same time the Rosewood massacre happened??

ahobbitstail

1y↑2

Question, because so much emphasis was put on the subject: Now, in 2023, what would Anti-lynching legislation actually accomplish?

Only in Christ

This is great... Thank you for information..

Malaika DS

1y↑1

Do a video about the Black Arts Movement!!!

Unity Harris

2y↑1

The things that we don't talk about in school series

Hayden Roberts

2y↑2

I dont get how such an evil mindset can arise.

Trey

1y↑1

Never forget ✊🏾

Bern Fran

2y↑4

Thank you.

Rory Bilaal

1y↑1

Thanks!

Patten Cycling

nice video

Esteban Castellino

2y↑3

thank you

Field Marshal P

50w

AWESOMNESS!!! thanks

Stacy B

37w

Wow! 😢

Bodacious Tness

2y↑3

Glad you're here.

Hiram Morales Gonzalez

2y↑3

What's the name of that Billie Holiday song?

Michael Garcia

Reading cadence is a little slow. Great sound to his voice tho.

James Edward

40w

Blood of black, latinos and Native Americans

roy rogers

1y↑1

He talks so slow, had to go to x2 speed.

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