“I swear to the Lord,I still can't see,Why Democracy means,Everybody but me. ”

“I, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"Then.Besides,They'll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed--I, too, am America.”

“LIBERTY! FREEDOM! DEMOCRACY!True anyhow no matter how manyLiars use those words.”

“So since I'm still here livin',I guess I will live on.I could've died for love--But for livin' I was born.”

“I've been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!”

“Words Like FreedomThere are words like FreedomSweet and wonderful to say.On my heartstrings freedom singsAll day everyday.There are words like LibertyThat almost make me cry.If you had known what I knowYou would know why.”

“Though you may hear me holler,And you may see me cry--I'll be dogged, sweet baby,If you gonna see me die.”