Someone had to pick the cotton,

Someone had to pick the corn,

Someone had to slave and be able to sing,

That's why darkies were born;



Someone had to laugh at trouble,

Though he was tired and worn,

Had to be contented with any old thing,

That's why darkies were born;



Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and

Sing when you're blue,

Sing, sing, that's what you taught

All the white folks to do;



Someone had to fight the Devil,

Shout about Gabriel's Horn,

Someone had to stoke the train

That would bring God's children to green pastures,

That's why darkies were born.