That’s Why Darkies Were Born by Kate Smith (1931)

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The popular song That’s Why Darkie Were Born written by Ray Henderson and Lew Brown, originally in George White's Scandals of 1931 where white baritone Everett Marshall performed in the blackface. In 1931, the song was recorded by singer Kate Smith. [1]

Photo of Kate Smith Photo by Michael Ochs Archives

Key Lyrics

Brothers, sisters, when this world began

There was work to be done

And it seemed 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 [2]

Controversy

This was part of a musical genre where African American depicted as "fated to work the land, fated to be where they are, to never change," which leads the song described as a satirical view of racism, though no historians found the evidence that this song performed in satirical or joking way. However, in the early 1930s African-American audiences criticized the song as racist song, where Mildred Bailey received many letters to stop performing the song. [3]

Black Empowerment

Though the song sparked controversy upon its release, the message, in fact of this song is actually the opposite of racism. It is about the plight of black slave and how they overcome the oppression and weariness of slavery. This depicts despite being destined to become a slave, the black man learned to laugh at his lowest point, this also to teach white man to sing as well along with his song(s). [4]

References

  1. That's Why Darkies Were Born. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 21, 2021
  2. That’s Why Darkies Were Born Kate Smith. Genius. Retrieved January 21, 2021
  3. That's Why Darkies Were Born. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 21, 2021
  4. Hanak, Dr. James. Kate Smith didn’t denigrate black people | Opinion. Pennlive. April 26, 2019. January 21, 2021