[Verse]
When I was just a little pick
I almost learned from Cousin Nick
Ol' Massah found out, sure enough
And poor old Nick, he got strung up

[Chorus]
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away

[Verse]
The year was 1863
A paper said that I was free
But no one read it to my ears
And so I slaved for two more years

[Chorus]
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away

[Verse]
A teacher came from Ohio
To learn us what we'd need to know
Before she told us what was what
She up and died of Whooping Cough
[Chorus]
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away

[Verse]
I heard about a school was free
Way out east in Tennessee
Before I got to go to town
The damned old rebs had burned it down

[Chorus]
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away

[Verse]
So now that I am old and gray
Listen close to what I say
The white folks, they will write the show
If you can't read, you'll never know

[Chorus]
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Better git yer learnin'
Before it goes away