How long?
Tell me, how long?
How long? How long?
How long? How long?
Tell me, how long? How long?

If you're confused
I'm talkin' 'bout my 40 acres and my mule

Granddaddy died waiting
Grandmama died waiting too
Martin Luther King, he died waiting
Tell me, what about, what about me and you?

If you're confused
I'm talkin' 'bout my 40 acres and my mule

I'm tired
I say, I'm tired
I tell you, I'm tired, tired, tired, tired
I'm tired of excuses

If you're confused
What I'm talking about is
My 40 acres and my mule
Sometimes I wonder
What's gonna happen to me when I get too old?
Well, sometimes I wonder
What's gonna happen to me when I get too old?

Whoa, will you take me in your arms, little girl
Or will you just throw me outdoors?

Sometimes I wonder
Why the world just don't treat me right
Sometimes I wonder
Why the world just don't treat me right

Is it because I sing the blues
Or is it because I'm black?