Can a man be a man
But not allowed to be free
Just for the color of a skin
Can brother hate brother
And not hear his plea
Just for the color of a skin

Can men go on
Livin' and dyin'
Payin' no mind
To some man's cryin'
Just for the color of a skin

It's time that men
Who are really men
Have the right to share in liberty
And not be condemned
For the color of his skin
Which says now
He's no right to be free
Just for the color of his skin

Perhaps one day we'll know
That men are not made
Just with a color on their skin
And when in graves side by side
We are finally laid
There'll be no hate
For the color of a skin

Just for the color of a skin