Langston Hughes
Backlash Blues
[Verse 1]
Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just who do you think I am?
You raise my taxes, freeze my wages
And send my son to Vietnam
You give me second-class houses
And second-class schools
Do you think that all colored folks
Are just second-class fools?

[Chorus]
Mr. Backlash
I'm gon' leave you with the backlash blues

[Verse 2]
When I try to find a job
To earn a little cash
All you got to offer
Is your mean, old, white backlash
But the world is big
Big and bright and round
And it's full of folks like me
Who are black, yellow, beige, and brown

[Chorus]
Mr. Backlash
I'm gon' leave you with the backlash blues
[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just what do you think I got to lose?
I'm gon' leave you with the backlash blues
You're the one who'll have the blues, not me
Just wait and see