People want to be free, people got to be free

No matter what color, class or creed you may be

I want you to be merry — I hope you're feelin' irie



'Cause I've seen people dancing in the street

Some don't have a bite to eat

But them a make merry

So hot, them a make merry

Some try to put the best outside

Some try to find a place to hide

What you sow, it's that you reap

Silent river runs deep, yeah, oh yeah



See, never give a man more than he can bear

What about your time when you ought to get your share

What I mean to say, that if you're wrong, wont you say you're wrong

'Cause this race is not for the swift

Neither does the battle for the strong

So my people does not care of what the crisis may be

Them a make merry, them a make merry

Some a rock steady, dancing in the street



Dem say this waiting might be long

Dem want I to left right — do wrong

But this race is not for the swift

Neither does the battle for the strong

So my people does not care of what this crisis may be

Dem a make merry, dem a make merry

Yet dem belly empty

Dem a make merry. . . .