Johnny is a man
He's not a boy
Now, well-a
Johnny was a man
Now, he's a white man's toy
Now, well-a
They try to beat him down
In every kind of way
Now, well-a
Should he turn the other cheek?
Well if he has to.
Now, well-a
Workin' everyday
When he has a job
Now, well-a
Workin' everyday
Just like a slave
Now, well-a
When he go back home
to his loved ones
Now, well-a
Well he's mean and cruel
He can't help it.
Now, well-a
To everyone he loves
He can't help it.
Now, well-a
And they's a beatin' him down
yeah, they beatin' him down
Now, well-a
So he's filled with rage
and it's destroyin his soul
Now, well-a
Should he turn the other cheek
Not another time
Now, well-a
Well if he don't, don't you know
He's gonna die
Now, well-a
They gonna beat him down
They make him lose himself
Now, well-a
He done lost his pride.
Dat's the worst thing.
Now, well-a
He's filled with rage
It's destroyin his soul
Now, well-a
Make me wanna cry
Make me wanna holler
Now, well-a
Make me wanna holler
Make me wanna die
Now, well-a
They keep beatin him down
Lord, you know they do
Now, well-a
He done lost his mind
He can't take it
Now, well-a
They gonna take his life.
Who give a damn?
Now, well-a
They gonna take his life.
He's not a man
Now, well-a
Cause Johnny is a boy
He's not a man
Now, well-a
No, no, no, no Johnny is a man
He's not a boy
Now, well-a
Johnny was a man.
Now he's a white man's toy.
Now, well-a
Can Johnny be a man in a white man's land?
Can Johnny be a man in a white man's land?
Now, well-a
Can Johnny be a man in a racist land?
Can Johnny be a man in a racist land?
Moon run ‘til day catch it.
Moon run ‘til day catch it.