Well I left my home in Vicksburg and startet travelling north

Made it to New Orleans as the bus was taking off

The citizens' committee was giving away the fare

Saying, "If you don't like the south, boy, just ride on outta here"

Ride on, ride on Red, ride on

Gonna ride off to my freedom

And make those Northern States my home.



We made it into Shreveport, where we were supposed to eat

I got myself a sandwich and ate it on the street

Ride on, Louisianna Red, ride on

Gonna ride on to your freedom

And make those Northern States your home.



We made it into Little Rock, we made another state

took the whole of the U.S. army to make one school integrate

Ride on, ride on Red, ride on

Gonna ride on to your freedom

And make those Northern States your home.



Well I live here in New York and I am doing fine

Have myself a ball above the Mason-Dixon line

Ride on, ride on Red, ride on

Gonna ride on to my freedom

And make those Northern States my home.