They keep on saying, "Go slow"
Stand up be counted with all the rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
I don't know, I don't know
Do it slow
Alabama's gotten me so upset
I think every day's gonna be my last
Do it slow
And talk real fine just like a lady
All I want is equality
You're just plain rotten
You're all gonna die and die like flies
But that's just the trouble
Desegregation
This is a show tune
The thinking's crazy
You're too damn lazy
Just try to do your very best
But the show hasn't been written for it, yet
And you'd stop calling me Sister Sadie
I can't stand the pressure much longer
Can't you feel it it's all in the air
Alabama's gotten me so upset
I don't belong here, I don't belong there
Tennessee made me lose my rest
But that's just the trouble
I made you thought I was kiddin'
For everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Me and my people just about due
Can't you see it
Black cat cross my path
We all gonna get it in due time
Do it slow
Everybody knows about Alabama
Reunification
They try to say it's a communist plot
I don't trust you any more
Do it slow
Do it slow
Alabama's gotten me so upset
Tennessee made me lose my rest
Somebody say a prayer
Picket lines school boy cots
Where am I going, what am I doing?
Oh but this whole country is full of lies
Washing the windows
Do it slow
Just give me my equality
I've been there so I know
Do it slow
You keep on saying "Go slow, go slow!"
Do it slow
Do things gradually
You told me to wash and clean my ears
Do it slow
Tennessee made me lose my rest
But bring more tragedy
School children sitting in jail
I don't know, I don't know
Yes you lied to me all these years
Don't tell me, I tell you
Why don't you see it
Everybody knows about Mississippi
Mass participation
Everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Picking the cotton
Do it slow
Do it slow
Hound dogs on my trail
Lord have mercy on this land of mine
You don't have to live next to me
I've even stopped believing in prayer
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
Why don't you feel it
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
For my sister my brother my people and me
Do it slow
