[Verse 1]
You were born poor in a black neighborhood
To a teenage mom, who had a teen mom too
It was hard times, but you made it through
You beat racism, poverty, pneumonia too
Now you're standing tall, we're looking up to you

[Chorus]
We're proud of you (yes, we love) Jesse Jackson
(We love) we're proud of you, you, you
(Yes, we love) Jesse Jackson (so proud)
We're proud of you (yes, we love) Jesse Jackson
(We love) we're proud of you, you, you
(Yes, we love) Jesse Jackson

I–I–I am somebody
(How do you know?)
Jesse, Jesse, Jesse told me!
I–I–I am somebody
(How do you know?)
Jesse, Jesse, Reverend Jesse, he told me so!

[Verse 2]
You stood with King, when you saw him die
(Ooh, Jesse) your will to lead must have intensified
We all felt your pride, that can't be denied
From city street gangs to farmers on the grain
You've got support from Mexico to Maine
[Chorus]
We're proud of you (yes, we love), Jesse Jackson
We're proud of you, you, you (so proud), Jesse Jackson
We're proud of you (yes, we love), Jesse Jackson
We're proud of you, you, you (so proud), Jesse Jackson

I–I–I am somebody
(How do you know?), Jesse, Jesse
I–I–I am somebody
(How do you know?) Jesse, Jesse (so proud, we love...)

[Verse 3]
Cannonball called you "the country preacher"
To the Rainbow Coalition you are a teacher
We move to your message, you're the consummate speaker
Your message is love, respect for your brother
People for people, no fear of each other
Run for any office your heart may choose
'Cause we're gonna love you, so you just can't lose

[Chorus]
We're proud of you (yes, we love) Jesse Jackson
(We love) we're proud of you, you, you
(Yes, we love) Jesse Jackson (so proud)
We're proud of you (yes, we love) Jesse Jackson
(We love) we're proud of you, you, you
(Yes, we love) Jesse Jackson
I–I–I am somebody
(How do you know?) Jesse, Jesse, Jesse told me!
I am somebody
(How do you know?) Jesse, Jesse, he told me so!

[Interlude]
My name is Dr. Arthur Thomas and I am the president of Central State University, a black college in Wilberforce, Ohio; and I want to pay tribute to the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson. Thank you, Jesse, for being courageous enough to challenge America. Thank you, Jesse, for giving us bold leadership and new directions. Thank you, Jesse, for blazing a trail that represents hope for the future. Thank you, Jesse, for letting us know that in order to win this fight, we must unite! Red, yellow, black, brown and white. Thank you, Jesse Louis Jackson. And I also want to let everyone else know, that one of the keys to Jesse Jackson's success is that he attended a black college. The black college let him know, that he was somebody. The black college made him believe in himself. The black college gave him history, hope and heritage. The black college let him see, that he could be anything he wanted to be, even president of the United States of America. So when you think of Jesse Jackson, think of black colleges. Support black colleges. Give to the United Negro College Fund. A mind is a terrible thing to waste!

[Outro]
(We're proud of you...)
If you mind can perceive it
And your heart can believe it
Then you can achieve it...