[Verse 1:]
Took our whole black African tribe
Whipped our backs and enslaved our minds
Took away our shield and spear
Shipped and shackled, chained and feared
Took away our native tongue
Taught their English to our young

[Chorus:]
All the black people
African cry!
Just wanted to live
So many have died!

[Verse 2:]
Took our whole African nation
Took us South to a plantation
Made us work both day and night
With no freedom and no rights

[Chorus:]
All the black people
African cry!
Just wanted to live
So many have died!
[Refrain:]
Though they think our ways are done
(I have lived from one slave hut to another)
But someday, we'll overcome
(Sold as a child away from my mother)
Though they think our ways are done
(Through blood, sweat, and tears, it's still apart of me)
But someday, we'll overcome
(Oh, we'll overcome, yeah)
Overcome
Overcome
Overcome
Overcome!

[Outro: All Together:]
Right on!