A funny song from 1964.
Words and music by Tom Lehrer.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Oh, the white folks hate the black folks
And the black folks hate the white folks
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
Lena Horn and Sheriff Clark
Are dancing cheek to cheek
It’s fun to eulogize the people you despise
As long you don’t let ’em in your school - Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks
And the rich folks hate the poor folks
All of my folks hate all of your folks
It’s American as apple pie.
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
New Yorkers Love the Puerto Ricans
‘Cause it’s very chique
Stand up and shake the hand
Of someone you can’t stand
You can tolerate him if you try - Oh the protestants hate the catholics
And the catholics hate the protestants
And the hindus hate the muslims
And everybody hates the jews
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
It’s National everyone smile at
One another-hood week
Be nice to people who are inferior to you
It’s only for a week so have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn’t last all year
Sung and played here by Tom Lehrer: