| If I were a little black boy, say five years old
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| I’d ask my mommy please, what’s goin' on?
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| And if I were a little white girl, say six years old
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| I’d beg my daddy, please, do I belong?
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| Tell me why-o
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| Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o
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| Tell why-o, won’t you tell me?
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| Oh, the governor tell me, sonny boy
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| If you want to stay with us
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| You must ride to school on Monday, son
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| In a big black bus
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| Oh, the governor tell me, girlie
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| You must stay in school, you must
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| You must ride to school on Tuesday
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| Now don’t ja make a fuss
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| Tell me why-o
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| Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o
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| Tell why-o, won’t you tell me?
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| Oh, if I were a little black boy I’d be so confused
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| I’d feel a pain inside my heart, I’d feel so much abuse
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| And I were a little white girl I’d be so uptight
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| 'Cause there’s trouble in the U.S.A., it’s as clear as black and white
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| Tell me why-o
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| Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o
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| Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o
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| Why-o, why-o, won’t you tell me?
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| Tell me why-o
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| Tell me why oh, now oh now
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| Why there trouble down in Boston Town? |
| Why there trouble South in Louisville?
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| Why there trouble up in Detroit now?
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| Why there trouble out in L.A. now?
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| Why there trouble here in New York Town?
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| Trouble in my home town
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| Trouble in my home town
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| Trouble in my home town
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| Trouble in my home town |