Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
I am the man who never got ahead,
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Let America be America Again
I am the Negro bearing slaverys scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
(It never was America to me.)
(Theres never been equality for me,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Yet Im the one who dreamt our basic dream
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
Let it be the dream it used to be.
That even yet its mighty daring sings
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
The poorest worker bartered through the years.
I am the immigrant clutchingthe hope I seek--
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean--
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
Let America be America again.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers!
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
That any man be crushed by one above.
Equality is in the air we breathe.
Of owning everything for ones own greed!
Let it be that great strong land of love
I am the worker sold to the machine.
