“For the Color of a Skin”

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 no
He’s no right to be free
Just for the color of a skin?

Perhaps one day we’ll know
That men are not made
Just for the 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