This little song that I'm singin' about

People you know it's true

If you're black and gotta work for a living

This is what they will say to you



They says if you was white, should be all right

If you was brown, stick around

But as you's black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back



I was in a place one night

They was all having fun

They was all byin' beer and wine

But they would not sell me none



They said if you was white, should be all right

If you was brown, stick around

But if you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back



Me and a man was workin' side by side

This is what it meant

They was paying him a dollar an hour

And they was paying me fifty cent



They said if you was white, 't should be all right

If you was brown, could stick around

But as you black, m-mm boy, git back git back git back



I went to an employment office

Got a number 'n' I got in line

They called everybody's number

But they never did call mine



They said if you was white, should be all right

If you was brown, could stick around

But as you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back



I hope when sweet victory

With my plough and hoe

Now I want you to tell me brother

What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow?



Now if you was white, should be all right

If you was brown, could stick around

But if you black, whoa brother, git back git back git back