Next, We Bet, Some Twerp'll
Ask, 'What if I'm Purple?'
It seems that the Rev. Joseph Lowery's poetic stylings during his inaugural benediction were inspired by a postwar blues song, "Black Brown and White." According to
Everything2.com, "Big Bill" Broonzy composed the tune in 1947, because he was "increasingly dissatisfied with the slow pace of social change" had "had been especially hopeful that black participation in World War II would lead to greater social equality back home." American record companies refused to record it, the site reports, but he did record it in Europe. Here's the final stanza and the refrain:
I helped win sweet victory,
With my little plow and hoe.
Now I want you to tell me brother,
What you gonna do 'bout the old Jim Crow
Now, if you was white, you is alright,
If you was brown, stick around,
But if you is black, oh brother,
Get back, get back, get back
My observation: It did lead to greater social equality. It just took a lot longer than people hoped or feared. Now in our PC world, it still will not be recorded as a blues song.
Joy