It is real, as real as it seem Don't you live an illusion And don't you ever try to live a dream I sing... Buju say how could you rise up every living day Telling yourself everything is OK When you look at life you'll see it slipping away Lord knows who feels it every moment every day Those who cry for the poor get neglected, rejected, put to death How much more will we take? Did you father work off his shirt, blood sweat and tears Don't tell me that you forgot Being oppressed by the oppressors, all different types of stress For the sorrows of the poor, they don't even care less Refuse to deal with world atrocities, civil unrest Instead they're building penitentiaries as big as a bird's nest Saying we are to be blamed for whatever what mess Some say, how are you doing? They want to know if we are fine Not until we repossess what's rightfully mine Sitting down for so long we do believe it is time Everyone is entitled to food at mealtime 'Til then, we'll struggle for rights, no more racial fights Degradation to the highest heights All obstacles as a people we have to cross With health and strength we all can get across Happenings of yesterday are just a thing of the past Don't you cry little one, wipe your tears, sing my song Though we're in a strange land, with evil ones Help the weak if you're strong, iron sharpens iron When you're down take a look at where the help is coming from What about the masterminds with the foolproof plans What about the geniuses who achieve grade one