I had somehow never heard this song. Amazing and sincere satire of the "civilized" way in which modern crime and punishment continues the oppression of old while applauding itself as enlightened. Obviously directly speaking to Alabama's Jim Crow laws. This line still works today, as we watch a man die for maybe having a fake $20 bill or previously selling dvds or having a dimebag

Last year a negro stole a dollar bill

The judge he said "We mustn't be severe

Instead of death we'll give him life imprisonment

To show there's justice here"