Dis may sound harsh
But frankly it's mah plea.
I'm tired, I'm weak,
Are ya listenin' ta me?

I'm sittin' here cryin' an'
Even dyin' ta be free.
I didn't ask ta come ta dis
Here land of so called liberty. 

See you brought me here
All locked up in chains.
Yo' law say ya own me,
But da sad truth remains.

I'm still here used, abused,
An' aint' got nuttin' ta sho'.
I'm tired of wonderin' why
Ya won't let me go.

Yo' Constitution say dat
Equal is all men,
An' despite yo' bigotry,
I'm destined to win.              (Win What?)

People like Dr. King will come
An' finally speak out.
Langston Hughes will soon tell    
Ya what racism is all about.

Ooh an' let me tell dat befo' dat
Freedom bell rings,
Maya Angelou is gona make ya know why da caged bird sings.

I may as well confess ta ya
Dat I'm only countin' da days.
Da only way ta save yo' self now
Is ta change yo' ways.

Soon I'm gona forget about
mah dreaded past,
for then, oh mastuh, dis Negro
will be free at last.

I know ya sleepin' an'
Aint' tryin' ta listen ta me,
But I'm tryin' ta warn ya dat
One day I'm gona be free.