Better Git Yer Learnin'

When I was just a little thing
I almost learned from Cousin Nick
Ol' Massah found out, sure enough
And poor old Nick, he got strung up
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
The year was 1863
The paper said that I was free
But no one read it to my ears
And so I slaved for two more years
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
A teacher came from Ohio
To learn us what we need to know
Before she told us what was what
She up and died of Whooping Cough
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
I heard about a school was free
Way out east in Tennessee
Before I got to go to town
The damned old reds had burned it down
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
So now that I am old and gray
Listen close to what I say
The white folks, they will write the show
If you can’t read, you’ll never know
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away