The Death of Emmett Till, Part 1

Performed by the Ramparts
Recorded 1955
Written by A.C. Bilbrew

Folks, listen to this story, it's one the world should know
Of a Negro boy of fourteen named Emmett Till,
From Chicago to Mississippi, to see his Uncle Mose,
But we won't see little Emmett anymore.

[chorus]
Emmett Till, Emmett Till, his name will be a legend we all know,
Tallahatchie, Mississippi, to see his Uncle Mose,
Be we won't see little Emmett anymore.

When younger he had polio, his mother's only child,
She loved him as any mother would
His daddy wore the khaki, fought bravely for Uncle Sam,
That his son might have the privilege that he should.

A few days in Tallahatchie, Emmett with his little pals,
To Money, Mississippi, grocery store to buy,
They bought bubble gum and candy from the woman at the store,
As they turned to leave little Emmett said: "Goodbye!"

His little pals said to him: "What you mean, saying goodbye,
To the woman in Money grocery store?" They said: "She is good looking,"
Emmett said: "(whistles), You're right,"
And that remark cost Emmett Till his life