Claudette's Song

You don't know my name, but
I made history
Trav'lin on a city bus
When I was fifteen

I'm Claudette Colvin, and here's my story
It happened back in March of '55
On my way to school, Montgomery Alabama
Wasn't sure I'd make it home alive

"Get up!" snarled the driver
Give this man your seat!"
I said," I paid my fare, I got my rights
You can't do this to me!"

But two cops dragged me off in handcuffs
Called me "whore"
I said the Lord's Prayer
As they slammed the jailhouse door

I'm Claudette Colvin, and here's my story
It happened back in March of '55
On my way to school, Montgomery Alabama
Wasn't sure I'd make it home alive

Rev'rand paid my bail, and
Folks were very proud, sayin'
I'd blazed a Freedom Trail
When no one'd dare speak out

For years I never breathed a word
About the things I'd done
I got my juv'nile record cleared
In Twenty-twenty-one

So now you know my name, you know my story
Glad I had the chance to play my part
Laws are different now but still, we're segregated
Will we ever change our minds and hearts?
When we gonna change our minds and hearts?
Will we ever change our minds and hearts?