Stick in the Wheel

from Bayard Rustin: The Man Behind the Dream by World House Choir & Cincinnati Singing Friends

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lyrics

Solo: If the seats on the bus can’t hold your mother, be a stick in the wheel.
And if the seats on the bus can’t be used by your father, be a stick in the wheel.
‘Cause if the seats on the bus aren’t meant for all of us, go on, be a stick in the wheel.
Hear what I’m sayin’?

If the lathe in the fact’ry cain’t be used by my auntie,
I’ll be a stick in the wheel
And if the lathe in the fact’ry cain’t be turned by my uncle,
I’ll be a stick in the wheel
“Cause if the fact’ry in town gonna turn us all down,
Well, I’ll be a, I’ll be a, I’ll be a stick in the wheel.

Oh, brotha, take a stand by sittin’ down.
Oh oo-who, my sista, sista, right to the ground!
Oh, brotha, let’s go walkin’ up Capitol Hill. (TB: capitol hill)
Oh oo-who, my sista, sista
And make that place stand still

Yeah! “cause to make ourselves heard,
We don’t have to say a word.
We just got to shut it all down!
Hear the sticks hit the drums,
They’re beatin’ out a rhythm,
Beatin’ out a march-in’ sound.
Hear the sticks hit the drums,
They’re tellin’ all the children,
Tellin’ how strength can be found!

Sticks and stones can break people’s bones,
If that’s what you wanna do.
But I know a better way of using a stick.
So, let me explain it to you!

Hear the sticks hit the drums,
They’re beatin’ out a rhythm,
Beatin’out a marchin’ sound
Shut it down!
Hear the sticks hit the drums,
They’re tell’ all the children,
Tellin’ how strength can be found!
“Cause we won’t be ignored
If we act in one accord
And stop the wheels from turnin’ round!
Shut it down!