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 knowed 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 aid 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?