These lines are from the Big Bill Broonzy blues song "Black, Brown and White," written around 1945. It deals with racial discrimination and Jim Crow.
"This little song that I'm singing about
People, you know it's true
If you black and gotta work for a living
This is what they will say to you
They says if you's white, you's alright
If you was brown, stick around
But as you black, mm-mm, brother
Git back, git back, git back
I was in a place one night
They was all having fun
They was all buying beer and wine
But they would not sell me none
They said if you was white, should be alright
If you was brown, stick around
But if you black, mm-mm, brother
Git back, git back, git back
Me and a man was working side by side
This is what it meant
They was paying him a dollar an hour
And they was paying me 50 cents
They said if you was white, should be alright
If you was brown, you could stick around
But as you black, mm-mm, boy
Git back, git back, git back
I went to an employment office
Got a number and I got in line
They called everybody's number
But they never did call mine
They said if you was white, should be alright
If you was brown, you could stick around
But as you black, mm-mm, brother
Git back, git back, git back
I hope when sweet victory
With my plough and hoe
Now I want you to tell me, brother
What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow?
Now, if you was white, you's alrightIf
you was brown, stick around
But if you black, whoa, brother
Git back, git back, git back"
