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  • Oscar Brown, Jr.

BALLAD OF ROSA PARKS

A lot of folks were weary

As Rosa Parks sat down

For one more crowded, dreary

Bus ride home cross-town


Sure Rosa Parks was tired

Of being on her feet

So though the law required

That she give up her seat


Because it was demanded

By a man who was white

Just like a tree that's planted

She sat with all her might


Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


A brave determination

Reflected from the eyes

Of this respected matron

As she refused to rise


She sat as if commanded

By destiny to stay

She sat as if God granted

Her special strength that day


To face the hostile fury

Of white-hot hate she saw

The threat of judge and jury

Upholding Jim Crow law


Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


The police came and jailed her

And charged her with a crime

Although her friends then bailed her

Out in almost no time


The Negroes had been made mad

Heads had begun to shake

And some were saying they'd had

About all they could take


Of the humiliation

They all were made to barer

By bus seat segregation

For which they paid full fare

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


Next night they held a meeting

The church was packed and jammed

As they discussed bus seating

Most said they would be damned


If they'd continue riding'

With Jim Crow. They would not

They ended up deciding

To call a bus boycott


The city was Montgomery

In Alabama where

White folks can be quite ornery

So black folks best beware


Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


But now with Negroes showing

Few signs of age-old fear

They kept that boycott going

For nearly 'bout a year


Kept walking, walking, walking

Formed carpools; never balked

Despite the racists squawking

They walked and walked and walked


Until they forced submission

Made segregation yield

Until Jim Crow was driven

Defeated from the field


Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


Montgomery Alabama

The unity displayed

In that bus boycott drama

Oh, what a change it made


Led by heroic Rosa

So dignified and brave

America should know the

True leadership she gave


Heroes who have the courage

To make historic marks

Are people we should cherish

Like Mrs. Rosa Parks


Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks Rosa Parks


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