In line of what my folks say in , In line of what about love, they’re teaching When I reach out my hand, will take it you – Or cut it off and leave a nub above? 5 If I found it in my heart to love you, And if I thought I really could, If I said, I “Brother, forgive you,” I wonder, would it do any good? you So long, so a been calling long time you’ve 10 Me kinds of names, pushing me down all – I been swimming with my head deep under water, And you wished I would stay under till I drown. But I still swimming! didn’t! I’m Now you’re mad Because I in the back end of your bus. won’t ride 15 When I love answer, “Anyhow, I’m gonna you,” Still and yet want to make a fuss. you Now listen, white folks! In line with Reverend King down in – Also because the Bible says I must – 20 love you yes, I will! Or BUST! I’m gonna – doorknobs Fall 1961 Outsider, The simple silly terror of a doorknob on a door
5 10 15 20 In line of what my folks say in , In line of what they’re teaching about love, When I reach out my hand, will you take it – Or cut it off and leave a nub above? If I found it in my heart to love you, And if I thought I really could, If I said, “Brother, I forgive you,” I wonder, would it do you any good? So long, so long a time you’ve been calling Me all kinds of names, pushing me down – I been swimming with my head deep under water, And you wished I would stay under till I drown. But I didn’t! I’m still swimming! Now you’re mad Because I won’t ride in the back end of your bus. When I answer, “Anyhow, I’m gonna love you,” Still and yet you want to make a fuss. Now listen, white folks! In line with Reverend King down in – Also because the Bible says I must – I’m gonna love you – yes, I will! Or BUST! doorknobs Outsider, Fall 1961 The simple silly terror of a doorknob on a door