Someone had to pick the cotton,
someone had to pick the corn,
someone had to slave and be able to sing,
that's why darkies were born;
Someone had to laugh at trouble,
though he was tired and worn,
had to be contented with any old thing,
that's why darkies were born;
Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and
sing when you're blue,
sing, sing, that's what you taught
all the white folks to do;
Someone had to fight the devil,
shout about gabriel's horn,
someone had to stoke the train
that would bring god's children to green pastures,
that's why darkies were born.