Cold Northern Winds

Weevils in my corn pone,
Hard rain on my face,
Sweatin' like hell in them fields,
Lord, why'm I in this place?
Ain't no good one for a free Negro,
Let alone one who's a slave.
Gonna save up all my money,
Hope it won't pay for my grave,
'Cuz I can feel them cold northern winds
An' they're tellin' me where to run.
Gonna buy me a one-way ticket,
An' get outta this hot southern sun.

Sometimes I seen white boys
Climbin' up in the trees,
An' all those boys that was swayin'
Looked exactly like me.
My Momma used to tell me
I was Jesus' special child -
That makes two daddies I don't know,
Guess that's why I was runnin' wild.
I'm goin' up to feel them cold northern winds.
Oh, you just watch how fast I run!
Gonna take the first train outta here
An' away from this goddamn southern sun.

It ain't ever feel safe down here
'Cuz white folks, how they frown!
They'd bury me six feet under
Tho' for them it ain't far 'nuff down!
Ain't I a man and a brother?
Ain't I got a right to live?
Lord, why do I stay here
If it's all take an' no give?
I'm on my way to feel them cold northern winds
An' now I'm feelin' like I've won,
'Cuz I ain't ever gonna look back
To see that evil southern sun.


DB/3.2018