The Ballad of John Howard Griffin

Russell MaloneRussell Malone 

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Russell Malone

Russell Malone (born November 8, 1963 in Albany, Georgia) is an essentially self-taughtswing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s. more »

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Well, I reckon now’s a good time
To tell you ‘bout a good man
Who tried to help the world
Finally understand –
That it’s so wrong to judge another
By the color of their skin –
That good man’s name – John Howard Griffin

John was a white man
Who just had to know
How it feels to be a black man
In the land of Jim Crow –
So, he underwent treatments
To turn his skin dark brown
Then he headed down South –
To take a look around

“It’s a crazy idea!”, folks said
“You’ll get yourself killed!”
But John found a doctor
Who prescribed special pills –
An’ he laid under a sunlamp
Cotton pads on his eyes
‘Til one day, in the mirror
He saw a man he didn’t recognize

He knew he’d meet some hard times
But he really got a shock –
Life as a black man
Was harder than a rock –
Couldn’t find a job
Not even a restroom to use 
Talkin’ ‘bout that Jim Crow –
Jim Crow blues

Well, John wrote a book, “Black Like Me”
Mighta heard about it – seen him on TV
But in his hometown in Texas
They burnt his effigy – had to move to Mexico
To protect his family

A few years later, back in the land of the free
While John was on a road trip in Mississippi
His car broke down an’ as he wondered what to do next
Some locals showed up an’ beat him half to death

They beat John with chains for educatin’ the nation
Bein’ a truth sayer is a dangerous occupation
Some cheered his dedication to a world free of hatred
Others cursed the man, yellin’ “You’re a got-damn traitor!”

So, I reckon it’s a good time
To remember “Black Like Me”
Written by a good man
Who believed in equality
Believed it’s wrong to judge another
By the color of their skin –
That good man’s name was John Howard Griffin

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