Passed a young man on the street dressed in rags,
Couldn't have been more than 25.
Lying on the sidewalk in a sleeping bag and a sign that read:
"Your kindness keeps me alive".
I remember I stopped and turned around
Couldn't hold my tongue saying something about that sign bothers me.
So I asked him, "Why's a guy like you healthy, white and young
Living off working folk's charity?" He said,
"Judge not your brother,
Walk a mile in his shoes.
You see he's doing the best
That he can do,
Like me and you
My mouth fell open wide,
Shocked by the truth.
The look in his eyes was wise and sad
He said, "Brother, I was born a rich man's son,
But I gave it all away, every last dollar I ever had".
He wanted to know how it felt to be humbled by disdain,
Pity and indignation.
He asked me if I'd read the book,
"Black Like Me". He said it was his inspiration.
Judge not your brother,
Walk a mile in his shoes.
You see he's doing the best
That he can do.
Like me and you.
Just when we think we know
What's really going on.
Life serves us a surprise,
A lesson to learn again and again
"˜Cause we've all been victimized by prejudice and lies.
Judge not your brother,
Walk a mile in his shoes.
You see he's doing the best,
That he can do.
Judge not your brother,
Walk a mile in his shoes.
You see he's doing the best,
That he can do,
Like me and you.