Elder White lyrics

Out of the backwoods of the Mississippi delta Came Elder White to fight for civil rights Was he right? He and Sister Brown, they went to town Tried to ride a bus, people called it lust Were they right? Out of the swamp of Louisiana Came a young man, played Gospel piano He joined Elder White to fight for civil rights Was he right? He and Sister Black, they broke their back In a sit-down strike, they didn't believe in force or might We think they were right. How low can a snake crawl? Can a man mount up any higher? Away to the north I see whole cities on fire They said peace and love was their only desire Oh, America! Oh, America! I see the seas rolling in on you While high on the mountaintops The vultures behold the view Oh, America! Oh, America! Remember the one they crucified His mother was a Jew.