Someone had to pick the cotton, Someone had to pick the corn, Someone had to slave and be able to sing, That's why darkies were born; Someone had to laugh at trouble, Though he was tired and worn, Had to be contented with any old thing, That's why darkies were born; Sing, sing, sing when you're weary and Sing when you're blue, Sing, sing, that's what you taught All the white folks to do; Someone had to fight the Devil, Shout about Gabriel's Horn, Someone had to stoke the train That would bring God's children to green pastures, That's why darkies were born.