National Brotherhood Week lyrics

Song information

Artist: Tom Lehrer
Album: That Was The Year That Was

Lyrics

One week of every year is designated national brotherhood week. this is just one of many such weeks honoring various worthy causes. one of my favorites is national make-fun-of-the-handicapped week which frank fontaine and jerry lewis are in charge of as you know. during national brotherhood week various special events are arranged to drive home the message of brotherhood. this year, for example, on the first day of the week malcolm x was killed which gives you an idea of how effective the whole thing is. I'm sure we all agree that we ought to love one another and I know there are people in the world that do not love their fellow human beings and I hate people like that. here's a song about national brotherhood week

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks
And the black folks hate the white folks
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week
Lena horne and sheriff clarke are dancing cheek to cheek
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise
As long as you don't let 'em in your school

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks
And the rich folks hate the poor folks
All of my folks hate all of your folks
It's american as apple pie

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week
New yorkers love the puerto ricans 'cause it's very chic
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand
You can tolerate him if you try

Oh, the protestants hate the catholics
And the catholics hate the protestants
And the hindus hate the moslems
And everybody hates the jews

But during national brotherhood week, national brotherhood week
It's national everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood week
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you
It's only for a week, so have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!