(Curtis Mayfield) 



We people who are darker than blue 

Are we gonna stand around this town 

And let what others say come true 

We're just good for nothing they all figure 

A boyish grown up shiftless jigger 

Now we can't hardly stand for that 

Or is that really where it's at 



We people who are darker than blue 

This ain't no time for segregating 

I'm talking `bout brown and yellow too 

High yellow gal can't you tell 

I'm just the surface of our dark deep well 

If your mind could really see 

You'd know your color same as me 



Pardon me brother 

As you stand in your glory 

I know you won't mind 

If I tell the whole story 



Now I know 

We have great respect 

For the sister and the mother 

It's even better yet 

But there's the joker in the street 

Loving one brother and killing the other 

When the time comes and we are really free 

There'll be no brothers left you see 



We people who are darker than blue 

Don't let us hang around this town 

And let what others say come true 

We're just good for nothing 

They all figure 

A boyish grown up shiftless jigger 

Now we can't hardly stand for that 

Or is that really where it's at