Lyrics

(BECAUSE HE IS A) BLACK MAN

Fire - lighting up the dark night
Crosses - burning on his front yard
Torture - they're messing with his manhood
Murder - because he is a black man

He's got opportunity
Can't survive in this place
Everywhere he's just a lesser man
Due to the color of his face

When he goes to school
They look at him like he's a fool
They talk behind his back:
"He'll never make it!"
Just because he's black

Scandal - spreading through his work place
Laughter (ha, ha, ha) - hear it down the hallways
No promotions on the job - they tell him he's not qualified
They call him "Token" - because he is a black man

He's got opportunity
Can't survive in this place
Everywhere he's just a wanted man
Due to the color of his race

When someone robs a store
They know just who to look for
They shoot till he dies
And they never seem to hear the people's cries:

Genocide - because he is a black man
Profiling - because he is a black man
All the troubles in the world - they blame it on the black man
But they just can't keep him down - because he is a black man

Lie to him ... Confuse him ... Abuse him... Use him ... Everyday
Beat him ... Cheat him ... Harass him ... Then shoot him
That's not the way to make him go away
No matter what they do or say
He's here to stay!

They just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
And he's strong! (because he is a black man)
No, they just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
It won't be long!

No justice, no equality
Can't survive in this place
Everywhere he's just a lesser man
Due to the color of his face

And they say
He'll never make it, he'll never make it, he'll never make it, he'll never make it
He'll never make it 'cause he's got no opportunity
But they're wrong!

You know they
Can't break his spirit, can't break his spirit, can't break his spirit,
Can't break his spirit 'cause he's getting stronger everyday
And it won't be long...

Just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
And he's strong!
Just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
You know they're wrong!
Just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
And he's strong!
Just can't keep him down (because he is a black man)
It won't be long!
They just can't keep him down!