We people who are darker than blue
Are we gonna stand 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
This ain't no time for segregating
I'm talking `bout brown and yellow too
High yellow gal can't you tell
I'm just the surface of our dark deep well
If your mind could really see
You'd know your color same as me

Pardon me brother
As you stand in your glory
I know you 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 you 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 it's at