#david arkin

The ink is black, the page is white Together we learn to read and write A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

And now a child can understand That this is the law of all the land All the land

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

And now, at last, we plainly see We'll have a dance of liberty Liberty

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight A beautiful sight

The world is black, the world is white It turns by day and then by night A child is black, a child is white Together they grow to see the light To see the light

David Arkin was a teacher, writer, painter and lyricist. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy Era when accused of communism.

Earl Robinson wrote music for popular songs and films with inspiration from American folk music, gospel, the blues and more. He was also blacklisted for his left-leaning music.

Our edition of Black and White is a second printing from 1968 by the Ward Ritchie Press in Los Angeles. The press was owned and operated by Ward Ritchie from 1932 to 1974. Ritchie said, “The main object of a trade book is to make the reader want to read it. You try to put warmth into the design so the reader will pick it up, get into the subject and keep going.” Black and White is now part of our Historical Curriculum Collection.

Below is a recording with the original lyrics.

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