Betty Was Black (and Willie Was White)

Snider Betty was black and Willie was white Betty and Willie got it on one night They climbed in a bottle of Tanqueray Fell in love that very day They sat by the fire and listened to jazz Had pretty little dreams like every couple has But they had to be careful where they went out at night 'Cause Betty was black and Willie was white Willie's old man cut him out of the will He hired a lawyer and sent Willie the bill He said : 'Do what you want, boy, anything's fine' 'Cause from now on you ain't no son of mine' And Betty's momma, she tried to understand But her Daddy just gave her the back of his hand He said : 'Get out of this house, girl, don't you ever come back' Willie was white and Betty was black The next few years were difficult ones They put up with sneers and social shuns And then one fine year she bore a son They named him Tad and they dreamed of a year a little less bad When Tad could stand in a skin of brown A valedictorian's cap and gown And speak of a day when the future's bright And you could be proud to be black and proud to be white And dream of a day when it's all right That Betty was black and Willie was white Betty was black and Willie was white