Why do you cry?
I cry because I am a second-class citizen.
Why do you feel that way?
I feel this way because I am said to be no more than 3/5 of a person.
How are you gonna feel better?
I’m gonna stop crying and take a seat.
Isn’t that seat for whites only?
Technically speaking yes.
Well how can you justify sitting there?
If we’re all burned on a cross our color disappears and we’re all flesh underneath.
Why are you so brave?
I don’t see it as bravery, I see it as what’s right---

Protest, Peace, Peace, Protest
Exercise the rights supplied to rest,
Of society that chooses to exclude this colored blood
Civil Right’s shouldn’t be something to only dream of
I want to cleanse cotton field memories laced with sorrow
I sit down for my liberty and a brighter tomorrow