It was December 1, 1955, after a long day at work,
When I hurried to the Cleveland Bus, not anticipating the bus driver’s smirk.
I hoped to claim my seat without fuss.
I should have known this never happens on the bus.
It was a busy time of day,
Many passengers were handing in their pay.
The bus was filling fast.
It was then that I knew my seat would never last.

Around these parts of town,
Folks like us often get frowns.
The white folk get first rate,
While the rest of us must vacate.
They think that they can make us move,
As if we have nothing to lose.
I know we are different people,
But what ever happened to separate but equal?

Just then, the driver noticed white passengers standing.
He told me to move very demanding.
I told him “No.”
He said “To the back of the bus you go.”
Three others had already complied,
I was not about to give up my pride.
So I stood my ground,
While the crowds gathered around.

It was the morning of December 8,
I was running low on my faith.
It was the day of my court case,
A day I was ready to face.
They told me I violated a local ordinance,
Said I was being a nuisance.
I wondered when the injustice would end,
Praying for the peace only God could send.

Little did I know, a boycott was occurring.
This gave the papers a good stirring.
All the blacks stopped riding the bus.
The transit company had much to discuss.
Segregationalists fought back,
Setting fire to churches in attack.
The city of Montgomery knew things needed to change,
So they repealed segregation on buses in exchange.

The people hooted and hollered in the street,
Thanking Rosa that she did not accept defeat.
Now we all can ride the bus worry free,
The end of inequality I can see.
The road will always be tough,
But it does not have to be this rough.
If we all choose to take a stand,
Who knows what our voice will command?