[Melle Mel] Hypocrites and Uncle Toms are talkin trash (Let's talk about Jesse) Liberty and justice are a thing of the past (Let's talk about Jesse) They want a stronger nation at any cost (Let's talk about Jesse) Even if it means that everything will soon be lost (Let's talk about Jesse)
[Sylvia Robinson, Ronald Isley, et al] He started on the bottom Now he's on the top He proved that he can make it So don't never stop Brothers stand together and let the whole world see Our brother Jesse Jackson go down in history
So vote
Vote Vote Everybody get up and vote (4x)
[Melle Mel] See Ronald Reagan speakin on TV Smilin like everything's fine and dandy Sounded real good when he tried to give a pep talk To over 30 million poor people like me How can he say that we gotta stick it out When his belly is full and his future is sunny I don't need his jive advice But I sure do need his jive time money
[Melle Mel] The dream is a nightmare in disguise (Let's talk about Jesse) Red tape and lies fill your for spacious skies (Let's talk about Jesse) But don't think that D.C. just did it first (Let's talk about Jesse) There's a lotta D.C.'s all over this universe (His name is Jesse)
[Sylvia Robinson, Ronald Isley, et al] He started on the bottom Now he's on the top He proved that he can make it So don't ever stop Brothers stand together and let the whole world see Our brother Jesse Jackson go down in history
So vote
Vote Vote Everybody get up and vote (4x)
[Melle Mel] Land of the free and the home of the brave But it might as well be the home of the slaves They got me walkin around singin 'freedom's come' But my body is free and my mind is dumb The people ain't black but the house is white And just because I'm different they don't treat me right They done cast me aside, held me down Dragged my name down to the ground Oh beautiful for spacious skies And your amber ways of untold lies Look at all the politicians tryin to do a job But they can't help but look like the mob Get up and get back, put it away Watch the F.B.I. watch the C.I.A. They want a bigger missile and a faster jet But yet they forget to ?hidin? the vet
[Melle Mel] Hypocrites just talkin trash (Let's talk about Jesse) Liberty and justice are a thing of the past (Let's talk about Jesse) They want a stronger nation at any cost (Let's talk about Jesse) Even if it means that everything will soon be lost (His name is Jesse)
Now break down
Vote Vote Everybody get out and vote (4x)
[Melle Mel] The 30th day, that's in December Is a day that everybody's gonna remember Cause on that day a righteous man Thought about takin a brand-new stand The name of the man is Jesse Jackson And his call for peace was loud as action Cause now's the time to change the nation But not with just another negotiation He went to the East for human's rights To free the lieutenant shot down in flight Just another statistic, and the government knew it They didn't even want the man to go do it Before he left, he called the President's home And Reagan didn't even answer the phone But I tell you one thing that's a natural fact You can bet he called Jesse when Jesse got back
[Sylvia Robinson, Ronald Isley, et al] He started on the bottom Now he's on the top He proved that he can make it So don't ever stop Brothers stand together and let the whole world see Our brother Jesse Jackson go down in history
So vote
[Melle Mel] Hypocrites just talkin trash (Let's talk about Jesse) Liberty and justice are a thing of the past (Let's talk about Jesse) They want a stronger nation at any cost (Let's talk about Jesse) Even if it means that everything will soon be lost (His name is Jesse)
[Melle Mel] So for fast and friendly service - hey (Let's talk about Jesse) And there's no need to be nervous - hey (Let's talk about Jesse) He's changin our conditions - hey (Let's talk about Jesse) So join the Rainbow Coalition - hey Come on (His name is Jesse)