Lyrics
When panthers roamed the delta
Reference to a historical time when panthers roamed the delta, setting a backdrop for the speaker's experiences.
I drained your swampy land
Metaphorical expression of altering or influencing the speaker's environment (swampy land) in some way.
I built your railroads
Claiming involvement in the construction of railroads, implying hard physical labor.
With a hammer in my hand
Emphasizing the manual labor involved in the speaker's work using a hammer.
I picked your cotton
Acknowledging the speaker's involvement in picking cotton, a reference to the history of African Americans in the South.
Cut your sugar cane
Indicating participation in the labor-intensive process of cutting sugar cane.
I’m a man, not your boy
Assertion of adulthood and independence, distinguishing the speaker as a man, not a child.
You will call me by my name
Insistence on being addressed by name, demanding recognition and respect.
I fought with the Rough Riders
Narration of the speaker's involvement in historical events, specifically the Spanish-American War.
On that hill down in Cuba
Reference to the Battle of San Juan Hill, highlighting the speaker's military service.
Dug that canal in Panama
Claiming participation in the construction of the Panama Canal, a significant engineering project.
Nearly died of yellow fever
Recollection of facing life-threatening conditions (yellow fever) during service.
In 1917, Uncle Sam called, I came
Indication of the speaker's patriotic response to Uncle Sam's call during World War I.
I’m a man, not your boy
Reiteration of the speaker's maturity and demand for recognition as a man.
You will call me by my name
Continued insistence on being addressed by name, reinforcing identity.
I joined your segregated army
Acknowledgment of joining the segregated army to contribute to the cause of freedom.
To make the world free
Expressing the contradiction of facing discrimination despite fighting for freedom.
But back home in Alabama
Highlighting challenges faced in the speaker's home state of Alabama.
They tried to tar an’ feather me
Describing an attempted violent punishment (tar and feather) for the speaker's actions.
Some say it’s changin’
Suggesting skepticism about societal change despite some indications.
But the things remain the same
Stating that despite changes, certain issues persist.
I’m a man, not your boy
Reassertion of the speaker's identity as a man, demanding acknowledgment.
Call me by my name
Insistence on being called by name as a form of respect and recognition.
I’m not your coon, not your negro
Rejecting derogatory racial terms and asserting individuality.
Fact is, I might be your kin
Suggesting a shared heritage despite racial differences, emphasizing common humanity.
My labor made this country
Claiming a significant contribution to the development of the country through labor.
And I’m an equal citizen
Asserting equal citizenship and rights, challenging racial inequality.
Lord knows, I’m still here
Expressing resilience and persistence despite challenges faced.
Still here to stake my claim
Stating an ongoing right to claim a place in society.
I’m a man not your boy
Reiteration of the speaker's identity as a man, emphasizing maturity and independence.
You will call me by my name
Final insistence on being addressed by name, emphasizing individuality.
Call me by my name
Concluding demand for recognition through the use of the speaker's name.
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