Black, Brown, and White Blues Songtext
von Big Bill Broonzy

This little song that I′m singin' about
People you know it′s true
If you're black and gotta work for a living now
This is what they will say to you
They said if you was white should be all right
If you was brown stick around
But as you black, oh 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 as you′re black, oh brother
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 stick around
But as you black, oh 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 should be all right
If you was brown stick around
But as you black, oh brother
Get back, get back, get back
I helped built this country
And I fought for it too
Now I guess that you can see
What a black man have to do
They said if you was white should be all right
If you was brown stick around
But as you′s black, oh brother
Get back, get back, get back
I hope to win sweet victory
With my little 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 stick around
But if you black, oh brother
Get back, get back, get back