The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free

Lyrics

[Intro] Yes, ladies and gentlemen We wish to introduce now for the first time Making a professional recording with our group The son of Nat Adderley Who is not really a junior But he prefers to have his own identity So he refers to himself as Nat Adderley Junior So that, uh, his father won't get any credit for what he's doing, you dig? Let me let you know how a young black American Fifteen years old Feels about life in the United States for himself today Here's a tunе composed by Nat Adderley Junior that's callеd— Man, what is it called? "The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free" "The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free," y'all Check it [Verse 1] Massa Lincoln was the President way back when Talking 'bout emancipation He didn't want to give me my freedom then So he put me on probation And here it is a century later Just shot down our great emancipator You wonder why I'd give my life To get together this bullshit nation [Chorus] How much longer will it be? Oh, the price you got to pay to be free, yeah [Verse 2] I been in this jail cell, oh, so long How much time must I serve? Tell me, Mister President, are you gonna give me What I want and what I deserve? 'Cause if you're not, just tell me true 'Cause I'm going to fight until you do, yeah But then you're gonna call me a militant And goddamn, you got your nerve, yes you do [Chorus] How much longer will it be? (Hey hey hey) Yeah, good God, the price you got to pay to be free [Instrumental Break] [Verse 3] You tryin' to help this thing along Then believe me, I'm not angry at you But if you're not, just think before you do me wrong Would you dig it if I did it to you? Wrong is wrong and right is right So let's stand on up and fight And I'll be able to do all the things I've ever wanted to do [Chorus] And it's not gonna be too long 'Cause we're coming on strong, yes we are And we're not gonna hesitate We're gonna fight this thing before it's too late We're moving up, can't you see? Uh, the price you got to pay to be free (Oh) [Outro] Nat Adderley Junior Nat Adderley Junior, ladies and gentlemen