Birmingham Jail

Four little girls tying their sash in the basement room that day

Poking fun and making jokes before getting on their knees to pray

Just so young with all their dreams and years to their end

Strewn away in the rubble by the hatred of scared white men

It was early December in the year of ‘63

George Wallace defied what the federal courts they did decree

They said make your school doors open for the child of black and white

Wallace clenched up both his fists and he called out for a fight

Down in the Birmingham Jail

Down in the Birmingham Jail

You’ve had a chance to live your life but now you’re locked

In the Birmingham Jail

When the locals heard the news that day, their blood began to boil

They decided the only good colored man is down beneath the soil

So with their hate and money, they began to conspire

And soon in Birmingham the air was thick with powder and fire

Down in the Birmingham Jail

Down in the Birmingham Jail

You’ve had a chance to live your life but now you’re locked

In the Birmingham Jail

Four little girls tying their sash in the basement room that day

Poking fun and making jokes before getting on their knees to pray

Just so young with all their dreams and years to their end

Strewn away in the rubble by the hatred of scared white men

Down in the Birmingham Jail Down in the Birmingham Jail You’ve had a chance to live your life but now you’re locked