Why, why, why, oh yeah now,
Must the black man strain?
Why people, must he sweat and strain?

He toil each day
From dawn 'til dusk (yes a true)
Tryin' to achieve (yes a true)
The little he can (we know a true)
But just can't make it (a really true)
I wonder what's wrong (we know a true)
What's wrong now? (a really true)
Tell me, what's wrong…

Why, why must the black man strain?
I really wanna know people, now
Must he sweat and strain?

He toil each day
From dawn 'til dusk (yes a true)
Tryin' to achieve (yes a true)
The little he can (we know a true)
But just can't make it (a really true)
I wonder what's wrong (we know a true)
What's wrong now? (a really true)
Tell me, what's wrong…

Why, why must the black man strain?
I really wanna know people, now
Must he sweat and strain?

Tell me, tell me
Must the black man strain?
I really wanna know people, now
Must he sweat and strain?