Tell them, tell them,
Tell them the reason why you crying children.
Tell them, tell them,
Tell them the reason why you shed those tears.

If I never did right
Or if I ever did wrong, wrong, wrong.
It's because situation arise
Where things don't seem to belong.
Trial and crosses are always before me
Thorns and prickles in a my way, my way.
With the task-master always behind me
Waiting for a chance to take my life away.

And my burdens!
They're getting heavy and heavier every day. My burdens!
I'm like one who labours without no pay. My burdens!
Sweating like a slave to live another day. My burdens!
If I didn't follow my mind I would be gone astray. My burdens!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

For silver and gold, have I none, have I none.
Silver and Gold, have I none, have I none.
Silver, silver, silver and gold, have I none, have I none.
Silver and gold, have I none, have I none.

Tell them, tell them,
Tell them the reason why you crying children.
Tell them, tell them,
Tell them the reason why you shed those tears.

Working 'round the clock and obeying the gong
Like the weak who's got to feed the strong.
I got to carry my load like a child of Israel
Battering and dragging along, along.
Blessed is the man who keepeth his faith
And hope for the day of his great redemption.
To get away from grief and hate
And into the joys of the sweet liberations.

Slave driver!
It's just work, work, work and get no pay. Slave driver!
Sledge hammer in my hand and the pain in my chest. Slave driver!
Dry bone crying in the wilderness. Slave driver!
Only muscle and blood can stand the test. Slave driver!
Oh yes!

For Moses Children!
I know, was in the shadows of death, the shadows a death.
But Moses Children!
They rose from strength to strength.

For Moses Children!
I know, was in the shadows of death, the shadows a death.
But Moses Children!
They rose from strength to strength.

repeat until the end.