Lyrics:

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