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