They're so tough They like to make us feel little They like to meke us feel small They like to put us down 'till we feel no good at all Then they tell us that we're stupid That we got no sense at all They'll take away the spark Keep us in the dark Make us feel we have no vision at all Chorus: No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way No, I don't believe it has to be this way Then they tell us to be patient That our time will come But i've stood outside their doors And walk their floors And I ain't gonna do it again They'd like to make me their nigger I say to hell with them I'm not getting down on my knees And begging please Can you throw me a crumb now and then Chorus: No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way I can't really speak to you And I don't know about them They must be out of their minds Can't read between the lines They can stick it where the sun don't shine Chorus: No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way No, no, no, I don't believe it has to be this way They're so tough They are so tough