I was called sambo, I was called nigger 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
Chorus: 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
Chorus: 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?
Chorus: Déjà Vu blues, déjà Vu blues My blues keep coming back (2x) Tag: 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