My mama told me, she told me so
So I won't go, no I won't go
My mama told me, she told me so
So I won't go, no I won't go

And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am sinking, oh I am sinking
And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am free, oh I am free

And the farmer said, pray for the rain
So all night long we danced a say
And those farmers said, pray for the rain
So all night long we danced the say

And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am sinking, oh I am sinking
And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am free, oh I am free

And those prisoners in rusted bars
Said take your freedom back
Said take your freedom back
And those prisoners in shiny cars
Said take your freedom back
Said take your freedom back

And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am sinking, oh I am sinking
And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am free, oh I am free

And the man I met out on the streets
He said there's always hope
He said there's always hope
And the man I met in New York City
He said there's always hope
He said there's always hope

And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am sinking, oh I am sinking
And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am free, oh I am free

And that freedom man came in a dream
He said give up yourself
He said give up yourself
And that freedom man came in a dream
He said give up yourself
He said give up yourself

And by the river unto the sea
Yes, I am sinking, oh I am sinking
Over the tree tops, over the chain
Yes, I give up myself, oh I give up myself
Yes, I give up myself, oh I give up myself
Yes, I am free, oh I am