When I was born into this world, this is what happened to me
I was never called a man, and now I'm fifty-three
I wonder when,
I wonder when,
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?

When Uncle Sam called me, I know'ed I'd be called a real McCoy
But I got none of this, they just called me soldier boy
I wonder when,
I wonder when,
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?

When I got back from overseas, that night we had a ball
Next day I met the old boss, he said "Boy get you some overalls"
I wonder when,
I wonder when,
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?

I've worked on the levee camps, and axer gangs too
Black man's a boy, don't care what he can do
I wonder when,
I wonder when,
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?

They said I was uneducated, my clothes were dirty and torn
Now I've got a little education, but I'm still a boy right on
I wonder when,
I wonder when,
I wonder when will I get to be called a man
Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?