you are what you is

do you know what you are?

you are what you is

you is what you am

you ain't what you're not

so see what you got

you are what you is

an' that's all it 'tis

a foolish young man

from a middle class fam'ly

started singin' the blues

'cause he thought it was manly

now he talks like the kingfish

from amos 'n andy

he tells you that chitlins. well

they taste just like candy

he thinks that he's got

de whole thang down

from the nivea lotion to de royal crown

do you know what you are?

you are what you is

you is what you am

you ain't what you're not

so see what you got

you are what you is

an' that's all it 'tis

a foolish young man

of the negro persuasion

devoted his life

to become a caucasian

he stopped eating pork

he stopped eating greens

he traded his dashiki

for some jordache jeans

he learned to play golf

an' he got a good score

now he says to himself

i ain't no nigger no more. hey! hey!