If I were a little black boy, say five years old I'd ask my mommy please, what's goin' on? And if I were a little white girl, say six years old I'd beg my daddy, please, do I belong? Tell me why-o Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o Tell why-o, won't you tell me? Oh, the governor tell me, sonny boy If you want to stay with us You must ride to school on Monday, son In a big black bus Oh, the governor tell me, girlie You must stay in school, you must You must ride to school on Tuesday Now don't ja make a fuss Tell me why-o Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o Tell why-o, won't you tell me? Oh, if I were a little black boy I'd be so confused I'd feel a pain inside my heart, I'd feel so much abuse And I were a little white girl I'd be so uptight 'Cause there's trouble in the U.S.A., it's as clear as black and white Tell me why-o Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o Tell me why, tell me, tell me why-o Why-o, why-o, won't you tell me? Tell me why-o Tell me why oh, now oh now Why there trouble down in Boston Town? Why there trouble South in Louisville? Why there trouble up in Detroit now? Why there trouble out in L.A. now? Why there trouble here in New York Town? Trouble in my home town Trouble in my home town Trouble in my home town Trouble in my home town