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?

We people who are darker than blue
We've got no time for segregating
I'm talking about brown and yellow too
I a white girl can't U tell
I'm just the surface of our dark deep well
If your mind could really see
You'd know your colour's same as me

Pardon me brother
As U stand in your glory
I know U won't mind
If I tell the whole story

Now I know we have great respect
For the sister and the 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 to 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 its at?