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, hmm, brother, get back, get back, get back

I was in a place one night
They was all having fun
They was all buyin' 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, hmm brother, get back, get back, get 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, hmm boy, get back, get back, get 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, hmm brother, get back, get back, get 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, get back, get back, get back