You need not fear

Of a black man's fiddle

For he must play along

To the white man's riddle

 

And he tightens the strings

As the masquerade plays

For he will never hold power

Till the end of his days

 

When the master says dance

He must always obey

Or face the sound of a whip

For that's always the way

 

He carries his scars

From years worth of pride

And the river does run

What he feels deep inside

 

But he tightens his fiddle

Pulls deep at the strings

For he knows the riddle

God can't grant him wings

 

And he will always remain

A Sorrow’s child of faith

And carry the burden

Of a white man's disgrace