SLS

Song Lyric Sunday – Black and White

Maggie

Today Jim has us weighing our differences and considering how much they are actually alike with the prompt this week. Jim says: This week we have the oxymoron related prompts of Different/Same and hopefully this will fit for everyone.

“Black and White” was written in 1954 by David I. Arkin (father of actor Alan Arkin) and Earl Robinson. (Both were blacklisted in Hollywood for their leftist views).

It was first released in 1956 by Pete Seeger and again in 1957 by Sammy Davis Junior. UK band Greyhound covered the song in 1971, becoming a top 10 hit in the UK. It was from this release of the song that Three Dog Night decided to release it in 1972 and included it on their album ‘Seven Separate Fools’. Danny Hutton sang lead and this song reached number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts.

When Arkin and Robinson wrote the song in 1954, it was to celebrate the Supreme Court decision on ‘Brown Vs. Education’ putting an end to racial segregation in schools in the US. When it was recorded in 1972 by Three Dog Night, equality was still an elusive dream for many.

Seeing where we are in this country today – again fighting for equality for all – this song seems apropos to share considering that since the song was written 66 years ago, we still do not have racial equality in this country.

This verse which references the unanimous Supreme Court decision was in the original song, but not included in most of the recorded versions:

Their robes were black, their heads were white,
The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight,
Nine judges all set down their names,
To end the years and years of shame.

Black and White (Lyrics from Lyrics.com)

The ink is black
The page is white
Together we learn to read and write
A child is black
A child is white
A whole world looks upon the sight
A beautiful sight

And now a child can understand
That this is the law of all the land
All the land

The world is black
The world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black
A child is white
Together they grow to see the light
To see the light

And now at last we plainly see
We’ll have a dance of liberty
The world is black
The world is white
It turns by day and then by night
A child is black
A child is white
The whole world looks upon the sight
A beautiful sight

The world is black
The world is white
It turns by day and the by night
A child id black
A child is white
Together they grow to see the light
To see the light

1972 recording by Three Dog Night

1971 Recording by Greyhound

Why not join in on this Sunday blogging ritual. Pop over to Jim Adams blog to check out the rules and read some of the great musical posts.

31 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday – Black and White”

  4. I remember this song well, I like both versions but do prefer the Greyhound version probably because of the hippie arrangement. The hidden verse is so telling isn’t it. No country has racial equality….it may appear to have but sadly it doesn’t. 💜

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    1. It is a shame that w constantly battle what should be a birthright, Willow. I am so tired of people that must fight for basic human rights. I had never heard the Greyhound version before. It is fun.

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    1. This was an interesting prompt this week, Jim. Lots of different ways to interpret and apply it to a particular song or songs. Lots of fun reads today.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Oh one of the classics of my childhood. Such good memories associated with the Black & White song too! Three Dog Night remains one of my favorite bands, I play their music often! Thanks Maggie! 😀

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