The Civil Rights "era's" version that I knew of this song included lines like..."black and white together....; we're fighting for our freedom.......;" Its another one of those songs that continued with made up verses depending on the situation and the need to sing. I may have some of the real verses here somewhere, but it would take a loooong time to locate them! The chorus has the tree standing BY the water rather than IN the water.....(better for survival).