They're so tough   They like to make us feel little   They like to meke us feel small   They like to put us down   'Till we feel no good at all      Then they tell us that we're stupid   That we got no sense at all   They'll take away the spark   Keep us in the dark   Make us feel we have no vision at all      No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way   No, I don't believe it has to be this way      Then they tell us to be patient   That our time will come   But I've stood outside their doors   And walk their floors   And I ain't gonna do it again      They'd like to make me their nigger   I say to hell with them   I'm not getting down on my knees   And begging please   Can you throw me a crumb now and then      No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way   No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way      I can't really speak to you   And I don't know about them   They must be out of their minds   Can't read between the lines   They can stick it where the sun don't shine