Story Behind The Song

In conversation with a judge in Texas, I was told a story of how the Buffalo Soldiers were treated by the Texans of the 19th Century. They fought Comanche and helped settle west Texas, but were not treated fairly by the very people they protected.

Song Description

The troubles encounterd by a freed black slave who went west, and how he found peace.

Lyrics

My name is William DuBois I'm black as a moonless night
And if your history books don't tell you, every cowboy ain't snow white.

I grew up in the cotton fields of western Tennessee
The master said he'd hang me before the Federals set me free
My course was clear as sunshine, I ran that very day
They'll hang me if they catch me, and they'll hang me if I stay

I stole a boat near Memphis, and crossed to Arkansas
Traveling at night so to avoid the southern law
Living on the open road just made me hard and mean
I might have been an outlaw had the Lord not intervened

I met an old grey preacher man, he rode a piebald nag
He said "There's better days for blacks who'll fight Comanche for the flag
So I joined the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Griffin on the plains
And we fought the wild Comanche in the governments good name

On the day the army let me go I took their good advice
And rode north straight out of Texas, in fear for my own life
Up through Colorado, avoiding any towns
They'll set their dogs upon me if I dare to hang around

I was drifting through Wyoming when I heard a rancher say
If you show me honest work, I'll show you honest pay
Lord knows, I didn't trust him, but I took him at his word
And we went to branding cattle from a rangy longhorn herd

That was seven years ago, and I ain't left sinse then
Although the winters here are bitter cold and I never seen such wind
Still, the boys at the Double Diamond, they call me all around
If a calf is lost, tell Willie, you can bet it will be found

My name is William DuBois, I'm black as a moonless night
And if your history books don't tell you, every cowboy ain't snow white.