Isabella, she got two kinds of shoes,
one for dancing and one for the blues
dance Isabella, oh dancing free
lay down your burdens at the feet of the trees

I saw Rachel in the desert in spring
full moon in starry skies, a-ridin the swing
pulling primrose like a tide
one by one I watched 'em burst open wide
take em Rachel, plant em deep
they'll bloom in glory at the feet of the trees

Anna Mae she died for taking a stand
cut down her body then they cut off her hands
what they can't cut down is dancing free
lay down your burdens at the feet of the trees

Mamie Bradley lost her only son
she rose up shouting, crying
see what they done
a mighty wind shaking a mighty tree,
when one's in chains then there ain't none of us free
take him Mamie, now
let him be
he'll rise up shouting in the leaves of the trees

Isabella, she got two kinds of shoes,
one for dancing and one for the blues
dance Isabella, oh dancing free,
lay down your burdens at the feet of the trees