Charles Mingus Freedom
This mule ain’t from Moscow
This mule ain’t from the South
But this mule has some learnin'
Mostly mouth-to-mouth
This mule could be called stubborn and lazy
But in a clever sorta’ way this mule could be workin’,
waitin’ and learnin’ and plannin’
For a sacred kind of day
A day when burnin’ sticks and crosses is not mere
child’s play
But a madman in his most incandescent bloom
Whose lover’s soul is imperfection and is most lustrous
groom
So, stand fast there young mule
Soothe in contemplation
That burning whole and aching thigh
Your stubbornness is ever living
And cool anxiety is about to die
Freedom for your daddy
Freedom for your momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me
Freedom for your daddy’s daddy
Freedom for your momma’s momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me
Freedom for your daddy’s daddy
Freedom for your momma’s momma
Freedom for your brothers and sisters
But no freedom for me
