Don't cry my baby Don't cry all the while Don't cry my baby Just give me a smile Seen my daddy die in the war Seen my mamma die cryin' for Ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing A-ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing They call me a hounddog They call me a swine It's all because of my color For their war though I'm fine Ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing A-ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing Dee dum dee dum They're talkin' 'bout freedom Of religion and race But if you're a negro They slap you in the face Ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing A-ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing So what's the use fightin' for That sacred democracy When Ku Klux Klan murd'rers Are going scot-free Ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing A-ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing But I'm still happy So don't cry, my babe Together we'll strife for Bein' free people some day Ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing A-ring-a a-ring-a But I've got to sing Dum dah dah dee yay-ay Dee dum dah dah dee day Dee dum dah dah dee day-ay Dee dum dah dah dee yay