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. . . .