I was called sambo, I was called n******g
Often called out of my name
Now I'm called an abomination
Feels quite the same
It was justified by the Bible
Legalized by the law
Nowadays preachers and politicians
Still have the darkest hearts
I was a victim of Jim Crow
And a victim of hate crimes
Nothing has changed
There's still no peace in my lifetime
Déjà Vu blues, déjà Vu blues
When will I ever win? (2x)
Half a century from Jim Crow
I'm hated all over again
I was drinking at the fountain
At the fountain of life
I could drink from the black one
Couldn't get near the white
I'm still drinking at the fountain
At the fountain of life
I can drink from the straight one
But I can't take a wife
You know I never been to jail
And paid all my taxes too
But these days some felons
Have more civil rights than I do
Déjà Vu blues, déjà Vu blues
When will I be treated fair (2x)
Hatred in the water
Hatred still hanging in the air
Well the churches used to help me
And my Momma she understood too
But in this day and age
Who's gonna help Gaye to make it on through?
Déjà Vu blues, déjà Vu blues
My blues keep coming back (2x)
But the biggest difference is. . .
Back then I didn't have to tell. . .
Back then I didn't have to tell. . .
My Momma that I was black