englishAlternative Hip Hop

Mr. Wendal Lyrics

by Arrested Development

21 views • Published on Sep 30, 2026

Mr. Wendal Lyrics

Here, have a dollar, in fact no brotherman here, have two Two dollars means a snack for me, but it means a big deal to you Be strong, serve God only, know that if you do, beautiful heaven awaits That's the poem I wrote for the first time I saw a man with no clothes, no money, no plate Mr.Wendal, that's his name, no one ever knew his name cause he's a no-one Never thought twice about spending on a ol' bum, until I had the chance to really get to know one Now that I know him, to give him money isn't charity He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes And to think blacks spend all that money on big colleges, still most of y'all come out confused [CHORUS:] Go ahead, Mr.Wendal (2x) Mr.Wendal has freedom, a free that you and I think is dumb Free to be without the worries of a quick to diss society for Mr.Wendal's a bum His only worries are sickness and an occasional harassment by the police and their chase Uncivilized we call him, but I just saw him eat off the food we waste Civilization, are we really civilized, yes or no ? Who are we to judge ? When thousands of innocent men could be brutally enslaved and killed over a racist grudge Mr.Wendal has tried to warn us about our ways but we don't hear him talk Is it his fault when we've gone too far, and we got too far, cause on him we walk Mr.Wendal, a man, a human in flesh, but not by law I feed you dignity to stand with pride, realize that all in all you stand tall [CHORUS] Mr.Wendal, Lord, Mr.Wendal

Meaning of Mr. Wendal

“Mr. Wendal” by Arrested Development is a powerful critique of societal judgment and the nature of charity, urging listeners to reconsider their assumptions about those deemed “lesser.” The song centers around a nameless homeless man, Mr. Wendal, who embodies a radical freedom from societal pressures – worries about status, criticism, and material possessions – focusing solely on basic needs like health and avoiding trouble. Initially dismissed as simply a "bum," the narrator’s encounter with him reveals a profound wisdom, prompting a shift in perspective. It challenges the listener to confront their own prejudices and question whether their pursuit of higher education or wealth is truly more valuable than Mr. Wendal's simple existence. The repeated chorus elevates Mr. Wendal as a symbol of this freedom, suggesting that true civilization isn’t defined by possessions but by recognizing inherent dignity in all human beings, even those society has marginalized.

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