Black, Brown And White (Version 2)
by 
Big Bill Broonzy 
recording of 19 
from Blues Roots Vol. 4, 
This little song that I'm singin' about, 
people, you know that it's true 
If you're black and gotta work for livin', 
now, this is what they will say to you, 
they says, "If you was white, you'd be alright, 
if you was brown, stick around, 
but as you's black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back" 
I was in a place one night, 
they was all havin' fun, 
They was all buyin' beer and wine, 
But they would not sell me none, 
they said, "If you was white,You'd be alright, 
if you was brown, stick around, 
but as you's black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back" 
I went to an employment office, 
I got a number and I got in line, 
They called everybody's number, 
but they never did call mine 
They said, "If you was white, you'd be alright, 
if you was brown, stick around, 
but as you's black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back" 
Me and a man workin' side by side, 
this is what it meant 
They was payin' him a dollar an hour, 
and they was payin' me fifty cent 
They said, "If you was white, you'd be alright, 
if you was brown, stick around, 
but as you's black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back." 
I helped build the country, 
and I fought for it too, 
now, I guess that you can see, 
what a black man have to do 
They says, "If you was white, you's alright, 
if you was brown, stick around, 
but as you's black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back" 
I helped win sweet victory, 
with my little plow and hoe 
Now, I want you to tell me, brother, 
what you gonna do 'bout the old Jim Crow? 
Now, if you is white, you's alright, if you's brown, stick around, 
but if you's black, hmm, hmm, brother, get back, get back, get back 
__________ 
Note 1: hoe, an implement with a thin flat blade on a long handle used especially for cultivating, weeding, or loosening the earth around plants.