Big Bill Broonzy: Black, Brown and White

This little song that I'm singin' about,
People, you all 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's alright,
If you was brown,
Stick around,
But if 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's alright,
If you was brown,
You could stick around,
But as you's black, hmm, hmm, 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's alright,
If you was brown,
You could stick around,
But as you's black, hmm, hmm, brother,
Get back, get back, get back."

Me and a man was workin' side by side,
Now, 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,
You could stick around,
But as you's black, oh, brother,
Get back, get back, get back."

I helped win sweet victories,
With my 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, oh, brother,
Get back, get back, get back.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Reverend Lowry
• Barack Obama
• HaloedG
• Gooba
• Dwayne
• Get Back
• Big Bill Broonzy

[HaloedG]

@sigmund5

I'm saying, "I know what you mean" to karinablacktie. I also knew they weren't Lowery's own words.

What do you mean "it sounds like" Did I say those words you accused me of? You're reaching. Try digging into someone else's business...buzz off with the antagonizing.

[cutemango101]

my favorite history teacher showed me this song! idk how old you are you have to love it! -hint, 16 years old (;

[mmdawg2]

If you was white, Your alright, If you brown stick around, but if you black oh brother get back get back get back. I love it the sad thing is that this is what still happens today

[monadasmoinas]

@ColinStachowski - Thanks for that .

[kotokid31]

@MinecraftMunkys u want a cookie?

[paradisoperdutouno1]

Mr Webster Our Music Teacher Used To Bring All His Old Blues And Jazz 78 rpm Records To School In 1959, This Nr And St James Infirmary turned me on to the blues in those days.. Brilliant

brian

[cwcwful]

@MinecraftMunkys Most would know the meaning of this song, I hope.

[joshm435]

Classic

[ColinStachowski]

For everyone willing to know what the chords are! It's F#, and in chorus there is B and changing between B and F#7M (243222). Have fun!

[Bwah66]

This song is beautiful