[Chorus]
Which hat shall I wear, a red one or blue one?
Which hat shall I wear to the PTA?
The red hat's becoming, the blue one's a new one
Mary, come here, tell me which do you say?

[Verse 1]
This afternoon's meeting of our PTA
Is certain to be well attended
For we are protesting the ruling today
Of the way separate schools will be ended

[Verse 2]
Now Mary, you've worked for me over a year
By now you must certainly know
That I'm very fond of your people, my dear
And I don't mind telling you so

[Chorus]
Which hat shall I wear, a red one or blue one?
Which hat shall I wear to the PTA?
The red hat's becoming, the blue one's a new one
Mary, come here, tell me which do you say?

[Verse 3]
I think it's a pity my Jimmy can't be
In school with his darker-skinned brothers
With school integration I fully agree
And so do the rest of the mothers
[Verse 4]
But my little Jimmy is really too small
To ride to your school on a bus
And frankly, your people aren't helping at all
Oh, why must there be such a fuss?

[Chorus]
Which hat shall I wear, a red one or blue one?
Which hat shall I wear to the PTA?
The red hat's becoming, the blue one's a new one
Mary, come here, tell me which do you say?

[Verse 5]
Oh dear, I must hurry and be on my way
There's never a time for relaxing
Mary, the windows need washing today
The hall and the foyer need waxing

[Verse 6]
I've left some dresses piled up on a chair
The cleaner is coming at two
Don't let him take the green silk with a tear
That one, my dear, is for you

[Chorus]
Which hat shall I wear, the red one or blue one?
Which hat shall I wear to the PTA?
The red hat's becoming, the blue one's a new one
Mary, come here, tell me which do you say?