How are you celebrating Black History Month?

Paul Robeson performing (reclaiming more appropriately) That's Why Darkies Were Born from 1931. For context and a thorough explanation of the history and the controversy surrounding this song visit Quid nomen illius? (A post from 2004).

Brothers, sisters, when this world began,
There was work to be done
And it seems that someone
Left it to the colored man.

Brothers, sisters, what must be, must be.
Though the balance is wrong,
Still, your faith must be strong:
Accept your destiny.

Brothers, listen to me:

Someone had to pick the cotton,
Someone had to pick the corn,
Someone had to slave and be able to sing,
That's why darkies were born.

Someone had to laugh at trouble,
Though he was tired and worn,
Had to be contented with any old thing,
That's why darkies were born.

Sing, sing,
sing when you're weary and sing when you're blue,
Sing, sing,
that's what you taught all them white folks to do.

Someone had to fight the Devil,
Shout about Gabriel's Horn,
Someone had to stoke that old train that would bring
God's children to green pastures:
That's why darkies were born.