Can a man be a man But not allowed to be free Just for the color of a skin Can brother hate brother And not hear his plea Just for the color of a skin Can men go on Livin' and dyin' Payin' no mind To some man's cryin' Just for the color of a skin It's time that men Who are really men Have the right to share in liberty And not be condemned For the color of his skin Which says now He's no right to be free Just for the color of his skin Perhaps one day we'll know That men are not made Just with a color on their skin And when in graves side by side We are finally laid There'll be no hate For the color of a skin Just for the color of a skin