We who believe in freedom cannot rest,

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.

Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons

Is as important as the killing of White men, White mothers’ sons


And that which touches me most is that I had a chance to work with people

Passing on to others that which was passed on to me


To me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail

And if I can shed some light as they carry us through the gale


The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on

Is when the reins are in the hand of the young who dare to run against the storm


Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me

I need to be just one in the number as we stand against tyranny