Jimmie Rodger's song Blue Yodel No. 9 (discussed above) had its roots (or vice-versa, who knows?) in a song called "Standin' on De Corner" about peonage. Here's an example from the 1930's from the Lawrence Gellert's Negro Songs of Protest (mentioned in Franklin's paper above):

STANDIN' ON DE CORNER

Standin' on de corner, weren't doin' no hahm,
Up come a 'liceman an' he grab me by de ahm.
Blow a little whistle an' ring a little bell;
Heah come 'rol wagon a-runnin' like hell.

Judge he call me up an' ast mah name.
Ah told him fo' sho' Ah wereh't to blame.
He wink at 'liceman, 'liceman wink too;
Judge he say, "Nigger, you get some work to do."

Workin' on ol' road bank, shackle boun'.
Long, long time 'fo' six months roll aroun'.
Miserin' fo' my honey, she miserin' fo' me.
But, Lawd, white folks won't let go holdin' me.