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A gift from a stranger

“For the People I Rise”

A songwriter passing through North Miami Beach stopped to talk with Phyllis for a few minutes on a Saturday morning. By the next night she had written this and sent it to the family.

Listen

For the People I Rise

Written and performed by Jacquie Belle, Atlanta, Georgia

Running time: 5:35

How this came to be

Jacquie Belle drives long haul. That week her route ran from Chicago to Miami, and she was on her way back home to Atlanta when she stopped in North Miami Beach, a city she had never been to before.

It was a Saturday morning. Outside a bakery she came across a group of candidates greeting people, and she stopped to talk to one of them. Phyllis reminded her of her own mother, who had passed away, so she stayed a while and asked her questions. They talked for a few minutes. Then she got back on the road.

The song arrived the following night.

She spent a few minutes with a stranger, and this is what she made of it.

Words

[Intro] Yeah North Miami Beach Big Mama talkin' to you For the people Uh [Verse 1] Vice mayor, Big Mama in the flesh when I speak Phyllis Smith standin' tall for North Miami Beach City lookin' like a diamond sittin' right by the sea And I'm still runnin' all these years just to fight for the streets Nineteen summers in the grind for my folks on the block Takin' honor in the weight every time that I walk Got the hunger and the heart, all the pressure and pain But I'm gifted with the drive, never swervin' the lane They at work for they kids, tryin' to cover the rent So I carry all the meetings, every bill, every cent Need a place they can shine, where they live, where they play So I hustle for the hood each and every new day Stay honest with the people, keep it real when I speak Stay transparent with the cards that I keep in the streets Number one on my list, I'm protectin' my fam Forty-five thousand souls, I'ma do what I can [Chorus] For the people, for the people, I ride City council with a mission inside Every project, every dollar, every fight I'm a lighthouse in the struggle at night For the people, for the people, I stand North Miami Beach a queen in command From the pavement to the water and sand I'm Big Mama with a plan for the land [Verse 2] Kept pressin' on a dream for the kids in the park Splash pad vision when the budget was dark Four years in the mud, every meeting, every vote Still I pushed for the babies in the trailers with hope When we cut that ribbon, man, the joy hit deep Saw the water and the laughter, had me chokin' to speak Every hardship on the path, every no that I heard Turned to tears of victory when we opened that curve Now I'm plottin' somethin' new for the elders in town Brand-new buildin' where they never feel down Senior residence shinin', place to gather and vibe Meet friends, find love, keep their spirit alive It's a burden and a blessing when you carry the seat Holdin' office like a crown but it's work for the streets Big duty as a leader, heavy weight on my chest But when the people really win, that's when I feel blessed [Chorus] For the people, for the people, I ride City council with a mission inside Every project, every dollar, every fight I'm a lighthouse in the struggle at night For the people, for the people, I stand North Miami Beach got a queen in command From the pavement to the water and sand I'm Big Mama with a plan for the land [Bridge] I'ma tell you why I love y'all deep 'Cause I came from the hunger and the nights with no sleep Used to watch my mama dig behind that store Cut the bruises off the fruit just to feed us more I've been there, I've been down, I've been broke in the rain So I recognize your hustle and your day-to-day pain Now I'm livin' by the water with a view of the bay But my heart in every struggle that you fight every day High light bills, past-due on the tap Tryna juggle every fee when the world on your back After-school for your kids but the money too tight I'ma fight to get your babies in a program right I'm there when you call, when you scared, when you stuck I'm the engine in the city when you runnin' outta luck Your kids deserve the same, every door that they seek And I'ma keep openin' gates all across NMB [Verse 3] In my hood they'd crown me Vice Mayor Big Mama for real 'Cause I carry every story that my neighbors feel Yeah, I feel like Big Mama when I answer that phone When I stand at that podium, I ain't standin' alone It's an honor, it's a purpose, it's the reason I'm here Every vote, every law, every yes, every tear I'm prayin' that I serve you with the best of my hands And I hope that God guide me while I'm changin' these plans One more run, one more race, one more round for the team I'm excited just to build on the vision and dream North Miami Beach, I'm protectin' your name All the people that visit, all the ones that remain So when it's time for the ballot and you look at the list Remember who was ridin' when the system was fixed Phyllis Smith in the light, I've been holdin' you tight If you need me, I'ma answer, bring you out of the night [Chorus] For the people, for the people, I ride City council with a mission inside Every project, every dollar, every fight I'm a lighthouse in the struggle at night For the people, for the people, I stand North Miami Beach got a queen in command From the pavement to the water and sand I'm Big Mama with a plan for the land [Outro] Bless you all, keep your head held high North Miami Beach, we gon' reach for the sky If you need me, I'ma always be near Big Mama in the city, make the vision appear For the people, every second, every line Thank you for your love and your time Remember when you step to the booth Vote Phyllis Smith, standin' up for the truth

About this recording

Ms. Belle lives in Atlanta and is not a voter in North Miami Beach. She was not asked for anything, was not paid, and is not connected to this campaign. She wrote this on her own and gave it to the family. It is a gift of her own work, not an endorsement in this or any election.

The words are hers. The song is written in Phyllis's voice, but Ms. Belle wrote it. Phyllis is the Vice Mayor of North Miami Beach and holds the Group 6 Commission seat.

Published here with Ms. Belle's permission. The song remains her work and her copyright.