You've got to stand up, stay strong start movin' in the right direction Don't wait, too long, for people promising divine intervention 19 nine three, now I'm taking matters into my own hands So fast, I can't see A revolution is the only way that we can change change change I wanna fight the power Well it's hard times, white lines, kids of nine gettin' down with gun crime War zones, no homes, ain't it time we gave the dog a bone Say brothers, sisters, step up and put yourself in the picture This time you know a revolution if the only way that we can change change change I want to fight the power Question, answer, shake your hand and smile for the camera But it's no good you should spend time in your neighbourhood Where black kids, white kids Now you're working overtime to be a crack kid No job, no cash, a revolution is the only way that we can change change change I wanna fight the power Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution Everybody wants a revolution Who is, this man, I'm having trouble finding out where I'm coming from Preconceptions, it's eternal human infection one chance, Learn how you're gonna change the habit of a lifetime my soul, concerned, That revolution is the only way that we can change change change I wanna fight the power Higher, higher, now we're gonna learn to fight the power Sunshine, new day, I only know how to get the right way Faster, stronger, I help my brother and my soul lives longer Blinded, I can't see That revolution is the only way that we can change change change I wanna fight the power No doubt, in time, everything is sweet sunshine But in the meantime, mankind, is having trouble where to draw the line We still don't, respect, and yet I thought we had intellect Sometimes I think the music is the only hope we have for revolution Still we don't seem to understand we need a revolution Everybody needs a revolution