Lament For Emmett Till

Mother, mother, you who bore
A son of sorrow, know
White washed justice sure will reap
More than it can ever sow
Cry, cry, lynch
Raise your fist
Murder, murder, sear the land
In more than angry bands
Uncle, uncle, he who stood
Facing lyncher’s eyes
A firm hand in Jim Crow’s dock of wood
Meeting parading child
Cry, cry, lynch
Raise your fist
Murder, murder, sear the land
In more than angry bands
Tears, blood, and pain
Should mix like rain
Sorrow comes again
If I am dead
At heaven’s gate
Will I be free?
People, people, you who swore
Vengeance for this brutal hour
May your unity soar above strife
To avenge this young man’s life
Cry, cry, lynch
Raise your fist
Murder, murder, sear the land
In more than angry bands