How long
{my} brothers and sisters
do we allow injustice
to focus
its attention on US {you and i}
why?
{may i ask}
have we sat by
silently approving
the endangerment of our race
how long must the gavel
hit US in the head
before we realize the truth
of what is being said
how long must prosperity
run the other way
before we get off our ***
and stop doing what they say
how long
how long must we sit
at the bottom of the pack
as others pile on...pile on
how long must we stand
for **** like that
saying "my GOD,
if we can just hold on...hold on"
how long
we have come to a precipice
...a changing of the ways
it's not our way
but we're tired of the old ways
how long
as tomorrow awaken
with the dawn's early light
and nights
...such beautiful nights
sing of confusion and fright
we rise
with the knowledge
gained from years of turmoil
we stand for right
'cause we can't take this
no more
how long
how long
{my} brothers and sisters
will wrong be substituted for right
while we shudder
under cover of night
and profess our
equality
with the keeper of the pie
we can't even acknowledge
that a lie is a lie
how long
{i'm asking}
will we continue this game of
do
and i'll do the same
kill us
we'll imitate you
don't worry about US
WE'LL do as you do
how long
****
haven't we woke up, yet?
{my} brothers and sisters
do we allow injustice
to focus
its attention on US {you and i}
why?
{may i ask}
have we sat by
silently approving
the endangerment of our race
how long must the gavel
hit US in the head
before we realize the truth
of what is being said
how long must prosperity
run the other way
before we get off our ***
and stop doing what they say
how long
how long must we sit
at the bottom of the pack
as others pile on...pile on
how long must we stand
for **** like that
saying "my GOD,
if we can just hold on...hold on"
how long
we have come to a precipice
...a changing of the ways
it's not our way
but we're tired of the old ways
how long
as tomorrow awaken
with the dawn's early light
and nights
...such beautiful nights
sing of confusion and fright
we rise
with the knowledge
gained from years of turmoil
we stand for right
'cause we can't take this
no more
how long
how long
{my} brothers and sisters
will wrong be substituted for right
while we shudder
under cover of night
and profess our
equality
with the keeper of the pie
we can't even acknowledge
that a lie is a lie
how long
{i'm asking}
will we continue this game of
do
and i'll do the same
kill us
we'll imitate you
don't worry about US
WE'LL do as you do
how long
****
haven't we woke up, yet?