Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  

Daddy's in the Jail

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1969 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1997. Based on a letter to the Editor of a Black Panther paper.

Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
Daddy's in the jail tho he did no wrong,
And how are we goin' to get along? Oh yes.

Mama is working, Oh yes.
Mama is working, Oh yes.
Fifty a week and seven plates,
Worry's at the door and that makes eight, Oh yes.

Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
I ask my mama the reason why,
Doesn't know the answer, all she does is cry, Oh yes.

Wrote to my daddy, Oh yes.
Wrote to my daddy, Oh yes.
Asked my daddy, the answer came back,
They put me into jail cause my skin is black, Oh yes.

Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
Daddy's in the jail, Oh yes.
They call him a panther, but that can't be,
Panther's in the forest, running free, Oh yes.

Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- The Malvina Reynolds Songbook

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- Malvina Reynolds
---- Malvina Reynolds (2007)