[Verse 1]
If you had a choice of colors
Which one would you be, my brothers
If there was no day or night
Which would you prefer to be right
How long have you hated your white teachers
Who told you to love only your Black preachers
Do you respect your brother's woman friend
And share with Black folk that are not of kin

[Refrain]
People must prove it to the people
A better day is coming for you and for me
With just a little more education
A little love for our nation
We can do it, we can make a better sociеty

[Verse 2]
Now some of us would rather cuss and make a big fuss
Than to do somеthing to bring about a little trust
Lord knows I hope we overcome our beliefs someday
It might help a little bit if you'll listen to what I have to say
And I will not have you hating your white teachers
Please don't only love your Black preachers
And learn that you can respect your brother's woman friend
And you got to share with Black folks other than those that are your kin
[Refrain]
It must be people proving to the people
A better day is coming to you and to me
If we'll stay there and get that education
And learn how to love our nation
We're capable of making a better society

[Outro]
But it must be done by people proving to people
A better day is coming for you and for me
If we just get a little more education
And learn how to love our nation
We can make us a better society
But it must be people proving to people
It's got to be done by people proving to people
That's the only way you can do it
With people proving to people