Verse 1
I pledge allegiance to the [tell me what we gon’ do]
I used to know you but [you don’t call like you used to]
If you still love me can I
[give me a chance just to say how I feel, it may hurt you but what I’m seeing is real]

We’re killing babies and [I love to see chil dren play]
I’ve got depression [there’s a new pill I saw today]

How hypocritical to
[nothing is wrong take a picture and just smile money’s coming after while]

Chorus 1
Why Oh Why [2x] we keep believing lies, did Laci have to die
Why Oh Why, Lord tell me when our change is gon’ come

Verse 2
There are no fathers and [the system’s holding me down]
Sisters are dying of AIDS [I know my man don’t sleep around]
Don’t be stupid listen [we all gon’ die. And since you only live once, you do you, you go head, live your life]
We’re building churches but [my pastor is on TV]
But are we building people [I filed for divorce last week]
We’re wasting money tell me [why should I save? Let me have my worldly things; God said He’ll supply my needs]…[that ain’t what he means]

Chorus 2
Why Oh Why [2x] can’t our soldiers come back home
It seems like innocence is gone
Are people still losing their jobs
We’re spending money building bombs

Bridge
Free, I just wanna be free

Verse 3
Wake up no more sleeping [seems like my life ain’t gon’ change]
Let’s stop making excuses [I pray but things still stay the same]
See Jesus said that He will [please take this pain, I can’t make it on my own, ain’t no sunshine when You’re gone]

[2nd Why]
Why oh Why [4x] Don’t we give you a chance
Put our life in Your hands
Are we afraid to say Your name
Is it because we want the fame
Did my homeboy have to take his life
That homeless man’s outside tonight
When trouble comes we wanna pray
Our country pushes You away

(K. Franklin/S. Greene/H. Redd/N. Watts/D. Williams) © 2005 Zomba Songs/Kerrion Publishing (adm. by Zomba Songs)/Lilly Mack Music (BMI)/ Embassy Music Corporation o/b/o Kee Drick Music (BMI)/Music Sales Corporation o/b/o Black Eye Music (ASCAP) Contains a portion of the composition "Free," written by Susaye Green, Henry Redd, Nathan Watts and June Deniece Williams, published by Embassy Music Corporation o/b/o Kee Drick Music (BMI)/ Music Sales Corporation o/b/o Black Eye Music (ASCAP).