SOUTHERN
MAN
NEIL
YOUNG
SONGWRITER:
NEIL YOUNG
WHERE:
CARNEGIE HALL – 2014
COUNTRY:
CANADA
ALBUM: AFTER
THE GOLD RUSH
LABEL: REPRISE
GENRE: ROCK
YEAR: 1970
"Southern Man"
is a song by Neil Young from his album After the Gold Rush. The album was
released in 1970. An extended live version can be heard on the Crosby Stills
Nash & Young album 4 Way Street.
The lyrics of
"Southern Man" are vivid, describing the racism towards blacks in the
American South. In the song, Young tells the story of a white man (symbolically
the entire white South) and how he mistreated his slaves. Young pleadingly asks when the
South will make amends for the fortunes built through slavery when he sings:
"I saw cotton and I saw black,
"tall white mansions and little
shacks.
"Southern Man, when will you pay
them back?"
The song also mentions the
practice of cross burning referencing the Ku Klux Klan.
Young was very sensitive about the song's message as
anti-racism and anti-violence. During his 1973 tour, he canceled
a show in Oakland, California because a fan was beaten and removed from the
stage by a guard while the song was played.
Southern man better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man
I saw cotton and I saw black
Tall white mansions and little shacks.
Southern man when will you pay them back?
I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long?
Southern man better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man
Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown
I've seen your black man comin' round
Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down!
I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long?
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