When I was young you said to me
How I would grow to find
A world of hope and wonder
That you would leave behind
So now I look around me
I see where you were wrong
The tears that flow for equal rights
Have fallen far too long

Way down south in the township
Way down south in the plain
Does the sun still rise on the land of lies
Every day in fear, every day in shame

And I was told no man was judged
By color or by creed
So why do some have streets of gold
While others only need
No, you cannot tell me
There is pride in fearing pain
A nation born in a country torn
I know the rightful claim

Way down south in the township
Way down south in the plain
Does the sun still rise on the land of lies
Every day in fear, every day in shame

Take away the newsreel
And take the world to task
One man one vote as nations quote
Is that too much to ask
And now I look around me
I see where you were wrong
The tears that flow for equal rights
Have fallen far too long

Way down south in the township
Way down south in the plain
Does the sun still rise on the land of lies
Every day in fear, every day in shame