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When I was just a little thing, I used to love parades |
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With banners, bands, red balloons, and maybe lemonade. |
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When I came home one May Day, my neighbor’s father said, |
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“Them marchers is all Commies! Tell me, kid, are you a Red?” |
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Well, I didn’t know just what he meant. My hair back then was brown. |
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Our house was plain red brick like most others in the town. |
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So, I went and asked my momma why our neighbor called me Red. |
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My mommy took me on her knee, and this is what she said: |
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“Well, you ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
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If you’ve marched or agitated, then you’re bound to hear it said. |
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So, you might as well ignore it or love the word instead |
| [00:52.412] |
’Cause you ain’t been doing nothing if you ain’t been called a Red.” |
| [00:58.616] |
When I was growing up, I had my troubles, I suppose, |
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When someone took exception to my face or to my clothes |
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Or tried to cheat me on the job or hit me on the head. |
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When I organized to fight back, why, the stinkers called me Red. |
| [01:13.790] |
And you ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
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If you’ve organized your workplace, then you’re bound to hear it said. |
| [01:21.329] |
So, you might as well ignore it or love the word instead |
| [01:25.286] |
’Cause you ain’t been doing nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [01:31.419] |
When I was living on my own, one apartment that I had |
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Had a lousy, rotten landlord. Let me tell you, he was bad. |
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But when he tried to throw me out, I rubbed my hands and said, |
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“You haven’t seen a struggle if you haven’t fought a Red.” |
| [01:46.782] |
And you ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [01:50.196] |
If you’ve organized your neighbors, then you’re bound to hear it said. |
| [01:54.094] |
So, you might as well ignore it or love the word instead |
| [01:57.754] |
’Cause you ain’t been doing nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [02:03.677] |
Well, I keep on agitating ’cause what else can you do? |
| [02:07.285] |
Are you goin’ to let those sons-of-b*****s walk all over you? |
| [02:11.351] |
My friend said, “You’ll get fired hanging with that Commie mob.” |
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I should be so lucky, buddy, for I ain’t got a job. |
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Oh, you ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [02:22.843] |
If you’ve criticized anything, then you’re bound to hear it said. |
| [02:26.630] |
So, you might as well ignore it or love the word instead |
| [02:30.605] |
’Cause you ain’t been doing nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [02:34.638] |
Well, I’ve been agitating now for many years and more |
| [02:38.314] |
For jobs and for equality, and always against war. |
| [02:42.378] |
I’ll keep on agitating as far as I can see. |
| [02:46.047] |
And if that’s what being Red is, well, it’s good enough for me. |
| [02:49.611] |
’Cause you ain’t done nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
| [02:53.077] |
If you’ve marched or agitated, then you’re bound to hear it said. |
| [02:56.800] |
So, you might as well ignore it or love the word instead |
| [03:00.318] |
’Cause you ain’t been doing nothing if you ain’t been called a Red. |
