don't cry my baby
don't cry all the while
don't cry my baby
just give me a smile
seen my daddy die in the war
seen my mamma die cryin' for

Ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
a-ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing

they call me a hounddog
they call me a swine
it's all because of my color
for their war though I'm fine

Ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
a-ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
Dee dum dee dum

they're talkin' 'bout freedom
of religion and race
but if you're a negro
they slap you in the face

Ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
a-ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing

so what's the use fightin' for
that sacred democracy
when Ku Klux Klan murd'rers
are going scot-free

Ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
a-ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing

But I'm still happy
so don't cry, my babe
together we'll strife for
bein' free people some day

Ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing
a-ring-a a-ring-a
but I've got to sing

dum dah dah dee yay-ay
dee dum dah dah dee day
dee dum dah dah dee day-ay
dee dum dah dah dee yay