porcelain vase on the captain's case
shipping slaves to the southern states
while northern slaves in factories wait
in silent awe their breath they bate

underground roads for railway boats
and he really would like to take your coat
because he standing at the door in a red-tailed suit
with a frilly white shirt and a black-toed boot
now he's ringing on the bell for dinner and juice
it's pecan pie night with roasted goose
he strips himself down to a white loin-cloth
he warms up the crowd with a juggling act

chorus:
slipping the racket out of its case
he holds it up to his jet-black face
over his head and down his sides
over his hips and past his thighs

northern masses waiting for the whistle
longing for a supper of rocks and gristle
sixteen straight hours until their dismissal
down their pale white skin sweat tends to drizzle
breathing in coal while chillin' in the mines
coal black lungs while working on the lines
immigrants wishing they could go home
with backpacks filled with games and prizes

chorus