Are They Equal In the Eyes Of the Law?

A WWI song from 1919.
Words by A. R. Griggs.
Music by L. E. Campbell.

The sheet music:

Are-They-Equal-In-the-Eyes-Of-the-Law – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Are_They_Equal_In_The_Eyes_Of_The_Law – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. As they sit in consultation
    Seeking peace for the wide, wide world
    I wonder if their thoughts e’er turn to me
    I was at the concentration
    Of the troops that stopt the whirl
    Of the Kaiser in his dash toward the sea
    As I sit in meditation
    Seeking solace from on high
    I wonder if they see I stand in awe
    As they plan the federation
    For the races far and nigh
    Are they equal in the eyes of the law?

Chorus
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?
The black man faced his death and cried “Hurrah”
His soul was pure and white
He fought a manly fight
No more patriotic sons you never saw
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?
The black man faced his death and cried “Hurrah”
They were the same in no man’s land
Tell me now, how do they stand?
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?

  1. Ah, my soul is all emotion
    Fired by thoughts of lowly lot
    I wonder if ’twill ever be the same?
    I was there with true devotion
    With a record not one blot
    And I caused my country not one bit of shame
    Would it cause a great commotion
    If a comrade spoke for me?
    Oh, I would that I could help to draw
    For I’d have no other notion
    Just this one long mighty plea
    Are they equal in the eyes of the law?
  2. God, the Father of creation
    Hear, oh, hear my humble plea
    As with contrite heart I call thy holy name
    In this land of desolation
    Where they lynch and torture me
    Keep them, Father, from this life of sin and shame
    Oh thou God of restitution
    Thou with vengeance in Thy hand
    We pray Thee, Keep us from grim hatred’s mighty claw
    Show them, Lord, that retribution
    Runs its course throughout the land
    To make men equal in the eyes of the law

Chorus
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?
The black man faced his death and cried “Hurrah”
His soul was pure and white
He fought a manly fight
No more patriotic sons you never saw
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?
The black man faced his death and cried “Hurrah”
They were the same to the God of hosts
Tell me in your Freedom’s boasts
Are they equal in the eyes of the law?