One school for the White
One school for the Black
Until 1959
When four girls said "NO" to that
Ruby and the McDonogh three
Woke up for their first school day
Put on a dress , brushed their teeth
And changed the American way
In the Fall of 1960
In the town of New Orleans
Those six year olds so bravely
Enforced Amendment Fourteen
Every morning they walked to school
Escorted by men in suits
Federal marshals in leather shoes
Protecting those students
People threw stones and fruit
Shouted and called them names
Screamed slurs at those girls
Determined to break their chains
Break their chains
Break their chains
White boys and girls stayed home
Ruby and the McDonogh Three
Attended class all alone
Taught by teachers courageously
Gradually more students enrolled
Slowly America embraced
Freedom for all as our goal
Treated equal no matter our race
No No No No
No matter our race
One school for the White
One school for the Black
Until 1959
When four girls said "NO" to that
Everybody began to see
Their beauty and integrity
Ruby and the McDonogh Three
Opened our hearts, changed history
In the Fall of 1960
In the town of New Orleans
Those six year olds so bravely
Enforced Amendment Fourteen