We the People Who Are Darker Than Blue

We people who are darker than blue

Are we gonna stand around this town

And let what others say come true?

We're just good for nothing, they all figure

A boyish, grown up, shiftless jigger

Now we can't hardly stand for that

Or is that really where it's at?

We people who are darker than blue

This ain't no time for segregatin'

I'm talkin' 'bout brown and yellow too

Hi, yellow girl, can't you tell

You're just the surface of our dark, deep well?

If your mind could really see

You'd know your color, the same as me

Pardon me, brother, as you stand in your glory

I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story

Get yourself together

Learn to know your side

Shall we commit our own genocide

Before you check out your mind?

I know we've all got problems

That's why I'm here to say

Keep peace with me and I with you

Let me love in my own way

Now I know we have great respect

For the sister and mother, it's even better yet

But there's the joker in the street

Loving one brother and killing the other

When the time comes and we are really free

There'll be no brothers left, you see

We people who are darker than blue

Don't let us hang around this town

And let what others say come true

We're just good for nothing, they all figure

A boyish, grown up, shiftless jigger

Now we can't hardly stand for that

Or is that really where it's at?

Pardon me, brother, while you stand in your glory

I know you won't mind if I tell the whole story

Pardon me, brother, I know we've come a long, long way

But let us not be so satisfied

For tomorrow can be a, an even brighter day