%images; ]> scsm-000092 Will you ever give the colored race a show : an appeal to Congress / words and music by Robt. P. Jackson ...: a machine readable transcription. STERN COLLECTION OF LINCOLNIANA, Library of Congress Selected and converted. American Memory, Library of Congress.

Washington, DC, 2006.

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 Rare Book & Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Public Domain

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 2008/04/18
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Will You Ever Give the Colored Race a Show?

We've been strugg'ling for years, working man to man, Ever since slav'ry has passed away, Trying to educate our children and to do the best we can, So they would reap the benefit some day; We've appealed to our gov'nors and to our Presidents, But the answer always comes back to us “No.” The foreigner has a right to rule and represent, Will you ever give the colored race a show?

Chorus: Lincoln issued the proclamation in eighteen sixty three, And this is our own birthplace, that you know; We've fought hard to save the country, since we gained our liberty, Will you ever give the colored race a show?

You can visit any country, it matters not how poor they be, They always try to take care of their own, Or send them to America, the land of the free, Where prejudice to the colored race is shown; We've been promised for years and years that something would be done, But after they are elected, then it's “No.” Charles Sumner was our dearest friend, but now his race is run, Will you ever give the colored race a show?

Now the fact'ries are all open, ev'ry soul will leap with joy, Better times have come again, that we know; Our mothers will be happy in their quiet little home, They always shield their children from snow; We love the Grand Old Party and we wish they'd treat us right, We helped to make this country, that you know. When war was declared with Spain, we were the first called on to fight; Will you ever give the colored race a show?