"Why-O" video on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjrNbtLCRIM
From the album "Ghost Writer" (A & M Records, 1977). Music & Lyrics by Garland Jeffreys.
WHY-O
If I were a little black boy
say five years old
I'd ask my mommy please
what's goin'on
And if I were a little white girl
say six years old
I'd beg my daddy please, do I belong
Tell me why-o
Tell me why
Tell me tell me why-o
Tell why-o
Won't you tell me
Oh the governor tell me sonny boy
If you want to stay with us
You must ride to school on Monday son
In a big black bus
Oh the governor tell me girlie
You must stay in school you must
You must ride to school on Tuesday,
now
Don't Ja-make-a fuss
Tell me why-o
Tell me why
Tell me tell me why-o
Tell why-o
Won't you tell me
Oh if I were a little black boy
I'd be so confused
I'd feel a pain inside my heart
I'd feel so much abuse
And I were a little white girl
I'd be so uptight
Cause there's trouble in the U.S.A.
It's as clear as black and white
Tell me why-o
Tell me why
Tell me tell me why-o
Tell me why
Tell me tell me why-o
Why-o why-o won't you tell me
Tell me why-o
Tell me why oh now oh now
Why there trouble down in Boston town
Why there trouble South in Louisville
Why there trouble up in Detroit now
Why there trouble out in L.A. now
Why there trouble here in New York town
Trouble in my home town
Trouble in my home town
Trouble in my home town
Trouble in my home town