Well I left my home in Vicksburg and startet travelling north
Made it to New Orleans as the bus was taking off
The citizens' committee was giving away the fare
Saying, "If you don't like the south, boy, just ride on outta here"

Ride on, ride on Red, ride on
Gonna ride off to my freedom
And make those Northern States my home

We made it into Shreveport, where we were supposed to eat
I got myself a sandwich and ate it on the street
Ride on, Louisiana Red, ride on
Gonna ride on to your freedom

And make those Northern States your home
We made it into Little Rock, we made another state
Took the whole of the U.S. army to make one school integrate

Ride on, ride on Red, ride on
Gonna ride on to your freedom
And make those Northern States your home

Well I live here in New York and I am doing fine
Have myself a ball above the Mason-Dixon line
Ride on, ride on Red, ride on
Gonna ride on to my freedom
And make those Northern States my home