Passed a young man on the street dressed in rags
Couldn't have been more than 25
Lying on the sidewalk in a sleeping bag and a sign that read:
"Your kindness keeps me alive"
I remember I stopped and turned around
Couldn't hold my tongue saying something about that sign bothers me
So I asked him, “Why's a guy like you healthy, white and young
Living off working folk's charity?” He said
"Judge not your brother
Walk a mile in his shoes
You see he's doing the best
That he can do
Like me and you
My mouth fell open wide
Shocked by the truth
The look in his eyes was wise and sad
He said, “Brother, I was born a rich man's son
But I gave it all away, every last dollar I ever had”
He wanted to know how it felt to be humbled by disdain
Pity and indignation
He asked me if I'd read the book
"Black Like Me". He said it was his inspiration
Judge not your brother
Walk a mile in his shoes
You see he's doing the best
That he can do
Like me and you
Just when we think we know
What's really going on
Life serves us a surprise
A lesson to learn again and again
'Cause we've all been victimized by prejudice and lies
Judge not your brother
Walk a mile in his shoes
You see he's doing the best
That he can do
Judge not your brother
Walk a mile in his shoes
You see he's doing the best
That he can do
Like me and you