Emancipation Blues

They said they’re gonna give me forty acres That it would be a better life for me
But the same old Georgia sun is beating down now And the same old river’s running to the sea

They said when the Yankees come things will be different Mr Lincoln promised that in 63
But I’m up again the same before the rooster With the same old Georgia skeeters biting me

I’m still loading up the cotton
I keep driving these old mules
White folks never stopped whistling Dixie While I’m singing these emancipation Blues

They say that I can go just where I want to But ain’t nobody, nowhere waits for me And an empty belly's just an empty belly And I can’t afford the cost of being free

I’m still loading up the cotton
I keep driving these old mules
White folks never stopped whistling Dixie While I’m singing these emancipation Blues

Go mules, Whoa mules
Singing these emancipation Blues Go mules, Whoa mules
Singing these emancipation Blues