North Pole (Henson Takin' the Lead)

Intro

(Yo, Henson)

From the ships to the snow, black man leadin' the show

North Pole callin', feel the freeze, let's go

Verse

Born in Maryland, 1866, young Matt on the run

Orphaned quick, hit the seas at 13, chasin' the sun

Sailor strong, met Peary in '88, sparks ignite

Polar dreams, they team up tight, ready for the fight

Greenland '91, first taste of the ice, learnin' the land

Inuit ways, dogsled mastery, knife in hand

Buildin' igloos, huntin' seals, survival code cracked

White man's world, but Henson black, carryin' the pack

Back and forth, expeditions stack, 1890s grind

Lost toes to frost, but mind sharp, leavin' doubts behind

Peary's right-hand, the real navigator, charts in his brain

Dogs mushin' hard, through blizzards and pain

They call it North Pole quest, but Henson the pulse

Inuit tongue fluent, buildin' trust, no false

From Brooklyn streets to Arctic sheets, risin' elite

Pioneerin' paths where others retreat

Chorus

North Pole, North Pole, Henson takin' the lead (ayy)

Sleds skrrrt through the white, plantin' that seed (brr)

First foot on top, flag in the snow (yuh)

Black explorer king, steal the show

North Pole, North Pole, breakin' the ice (ice)

Peary behind, but Matt paid the price (price)

History hid it, but truth gon' rise

Henson forever, touch the skies (skrrt, skrrt)

Verse

1908 launch, ship Roosevelt sailin' northbound

Eighty-six dogs, crates stacked, Peary's crew profound

But Henson the glue, trainin' the pack, Inughuit kin

Walrus meat grind, prep for the spin

April '09 push, 26 men start the dash

Whittlin' down, Henson scoutin' flash

Blizzards rage, leads melt, dogs dyin' fast

But Matt unbreakable, coverin' vast

April 6th dawn, last camp to the prize

Henson ahead, Peary wise—send the prize guy

Six strides to pole, proddin' the snow, confirmed true

First man standin', black excellence through

Planted the flag, turned back with the proof

Crew caught up, Peary claimin' the roof

But Henson's steps eternal, etched in the freeze

Overcame the hate, brought the world to its knees

Chorus

North Pole, North Pole, Henson takin' the lead (ayy)

Sleds skrrrt through the white, plantin' that seed (brr)

First foot on top, flag in the snow (yuh)

Black explorer king, steal the show

North Pole, North Pole, breakin' the ice (ice)

Peary behind, but Matt paid the price (price)

History hid it, but truth gon' rise

Henson forever, touch the skies (skrrt, skrrt)

Bridge

They tried to erase, whitewash the tale

But Henson's fire, it never fail

Medal of honor late, 1944 shine

Unsung hero, now we rewind

From slave roots to polar boots

Matt Henson, undisputed truth

Chorus

North Pole, North Pole, Henson takin' the lead (ayy, ayy)

Sleds skrrrt through the white, plantin' that seed (brr, brr)

First foot o