To be young Gifted, and black Oh, what a lovely precious thing Oh, when you're, yes, yes, when you're When you're young, yeah, thank you, Jesus, gifted and black Open your heart, is all I need In this whole world, you know There are millions of boys and girls Who are young, gifted and black With their souls intact, and that's a fact You are young, gifted and black, we must begin to tell our young There's a world waiting for you (you) yours is the quest that's just begun When you feelin' real low Here's a great truth you should remember and know That you're young, gifted, and black You got your soul intact, oh, and that's a fact