The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free

[Intro]
Yes, ladies and gentlemen
We wish to introduce now for the first time
Making a professional recording with our group
The son of Nat Adderley
Who is not really a junior
But he prefers to have his own identity
So he refers to himself as Nat Adderley Junior
So that, uh, his father won't get any credit for what he's doing, you dig?
Let me let you know how a young black American
Fifteen years old
Feels about life in the United States for himself today
Here's a tunе composed by Nat Adderley Junior that's callеd—
Man, what is it called?
"The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free"
"The Price You Got To Pay To Be Free," y'all
Check it

[Verse 1]
Master Lincoln was the President way back when
Talking 'bout emancipation
He didn't want to give me my freedom then
So he put me on probation
And here it is a century later
Just shot down a great emancipator
You wonder why I'd give my life
To get together this bullshit nation

[Chorus]
How much longer will it be?
Oh, the price you got to pay to be free, yeah

[Verse 2]
I been in this jail cell oh so long
How much time must I serve?
Tell me, Mister President, are you gonna give me
What I want and what I deserve?
'Cause if you're not, just tell me true
'Cause I'm going to fight until you do, yeah
But then you're gonna call me a militant
And goddamn, you got your nerve, yes you do

[Chorus]
How much longer will it be? (Hey hey hey)
Yeah, good God, the price you got to pay to be free

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
You try to help this thing along
Then believe me, I'm not angry at you
But if you're not, just think before you do me wrong
Would you dig it if I did it to you?
Wrong is wrong and right is right
So let's stand on up and fight
And I'll be able to do all the things
I've ever wanted to do

[Chorus]
And it's not gonna be too long
'Cause we're coming on strong, yes we are
And we're not gonna hesitate
We're gonna fight this thing before it's too late
We're moving up, can't you see?
Uh, the price you got to pay to be free (Oh)

[Outro]
Nat Adderley Junior
Nat Adderley Junior, ladies and gentlemen