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
