When I was born into this world, this is what happened to me

I was never called a man, and now I'm fifty-three

I wonder when

I wonder when

I wonder when will I get to be called a man

Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?



When Uncle Sam called me, I knowed I'd be called a real McCoy

But I got none of this, they just called me soldier boy

I wonder when

I wonder when

I wonder when will I get to be called a man

Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?



When I got back from overseas, that night we had a ball

Next day I met the old boss, he said "Boy get you some overalls"

I wonder when

I wonder when

I wonder when will I get to be called a man

Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?



I've worked on the levee camps, and axer gangs too

Black man's a boy, don't care what he can do

I wonder when

I wonder when

I wonder when will I get to be called a man

Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?



They aid I was uneducated, my clothes were dirty and torn

Now I've got a little education, but I'm still a boy right on

I wonder when

I wonder when

I wonder when will I get to be called a man

Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?