Southern Man
- Neil Young Lyrics

The song Southern Man by Neil Young is a social commentary on racial inequality in the southern United States. The lyrics address the white southern community, particularly the ones who were justifying segregation and discrimination on the basis of race. The song starts with a warning to the southern man to be careful because change is going to come, and the crosses that they have been burning as a symbol of racial hatred are going to catch fire, leading to disastrous consequences.

The second verse of the song directly addresses the issues of slavery and racism. Neil Young talks about witnessing the cotton fields where black people were often forced to work while white people lived in "tall white mansions." He asks the southern man when they are going to pay them back for their years of service - a reference to the continued economic and social discrimination faced by black populations even after slavery was abolished. The lines "I heard screamin' and bullwhips crackin'/ How long? How long? How?" are a nod to the brutal treatment endured by many black Americans during the period of slavery.

The final verse mentions a white woman named Lily Belle, who is planning to kill a black man. This line highlights the deep-seated racism prevalent in southern society, where the idea of black and white people mingling was seen as taboo. Neil Young's message through this song is clear - the southern community needs to recognize the injustices they have inflicted on innocent people and work towards a more equal society. The chorus, with its warning of imminent change, embodies the hope and optimism that change can come even in the most entrenched and oppressive systems of power.