To Be Young Gifted and Black
Bob Marcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black
Open your heart to what I mean
In the whole world you know
There are billion boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black
Young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
This is a quest that's just begun
When you feel really low
Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
To be young, gifted and black
Your soul's intact
(Oh young) young, gifted and black
Oh how I long to know the truth
There are times when I look back
And I am haunted by my youth
Oh but my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say
To be young, gifted and black
Is where it's at
Young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There's a world waiting for you
This is a quest that's just begun
When you feel really low
Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
When you are young, gifted and black
Your soul's intact
(Oh young) young, gifted and black
Oh how I long to know the truth
There are times when I look back
And I am haunted by my youth
Oh but my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say
To be young, gifted and black
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
Is where it's at
The song "To be Young, Gifted and Black," by Bob and Marcia, is an ode to the power and potential of young Black people. The opening line, "Young, gifted and black, oh what a lovely precious dream," sets the tone for the rest of the song as it celebrates the beauty and promise of being a young Black person. It's a call to all young Black people, encouraging them to embrace and celebrate their gifts and talents, despite any obstacles they may face.
The song acknowledges the struggles and challenges that young Black people can face, but it also offers a message of hope and inspiration. It encourages the listener to keep pushing, to keep striving towards their dreams, and to know that there is a world waiting for them. The chorus, "Young, gifted and black, we must begin to tell our young, there's a world waiting for you, this is a quest that's just begun," emphasizes the importance of supporting and encouraging the next generation, and making sure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Overall, the song is a powerful tribute to the strength and resilience of young Black people, and a reminder to keep dreaming and striving towards a better future. It's a timeless message that still resonates today, and continues to inspire generations of young people to embrace their gifts and reach for their full potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Young, gifted and black
Being young, talented, and black is something to be proud of.
Oh what a lovely precious dream
The idea of being young, gifted, and black is beautiful and valuable.
To be young, gifted and black
Being young, talented, and black is something to be proud of.
Open your heart to what I mean
Be receptive to what I am saying and understand its importance.
In the whole world you know
This applies to people all over the world.
There are billion boys and girls
There are many young people who have talent and are black.
Who are young, gifted and black
There are many young people who have talent and are black.
And that's a fact!
This is a reality that exists.
We must begin to tell our young
We need to inform young people about the value of being young, talented, and black.
There's a world waiting for you
There are opportunities and experiences waiting for young, talented, and black individuals.
This is a quest that's just begun
The journey to embrace being young, talented, and black is just starting.
When you feel really low
When you are feeling sad or discouraged.
Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
There is an important truth that can help you during these difficult times.
To be young, gifted and black
Being young, talented, and black is something to be proud of.
Your soul's intact
Your inner self is still strong and valuable, even when you are feeling low.
Oh how I long to know the truth
The artist is expressing a desire to understand something important.
There are times when I look back
The artist reflects on their past experiences.
And I am haunted by my youth
The singer is troubled by their memories of being young.
Oh but my joy of today
However, the singer also experiences happiness in the present day.
Is that we can all be proud to say
It is something to be celebrated that everyone can take pride in.
To be young, gifted and black
Being young, talented, and black is something to be proud of.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Is where it's at
It is a positive and valuable thing to be young, talented, and black.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nina Simone, Weldon Irvine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Forflipsake
This is beautiful, my parents met in the early 60s England and married. my dad was called from Grenada to work in the mills which he did for every day till he retired, he’s 82 now my mum is white and they’re both happy and going strong.
I’m the youngest at 40 but my sisters and brothers were all born in the 60s and 70s so I had the absolute beautiful pleasure to get introduced to every single musical genre you could imagine..
My mum was always for the 50s /60s pop my dad 60s reggae and those white labels that were just instrumental and rare to get unless you had family send you them they were cold pressed and if you could make and Lo and not care about the taxes to get your talent out that was key.
My brother the rave and 70 electro scene my sister the jungle and acid house and I slotted into the uk garage scene which I will play till the day I 💀 😅.
It’s lovely because every generation has their sound and I’m blessed to have grown up in such an eclectic house hold of cultures and music , it really made me who I am today.
@andrew8394
THIS SONG IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH !
YG+B IS TRANSMITTED THRU
BOB + MARCIA FOR REVEALING THE
GREATEST TRUTH OF ALL TO MANKIND
+ KIND LADIES !
PRAISE TO THE MOST HIGH FOR THEIR
MISSION TO ALL PEOPLE OF COLOR !
Thanks For SHARING + Reading.
MOSTEST LOL !
@lofty164
im a white guy and this music is so joyful love the trojan music
@Raresouldisease
I can see my dear Dad Tony Bates singing this...RIP Pate , u are much missed by us all x
@stevehodsonleedsutd
i am a white 63 years old man from england, i saw this on youtube today it brought so many memorys from so many years ago with my jamaican friends here in england and yes they were young gifted and black, brought tears to my eyes.
@Forflipsake
This is beautiful, my parents met in the early 60s England and married. my dad was called from Grenada to work in the mills which he did for every day till he retired, he’s 82 now my mum is white and they’re both happy and going strong.
I’m the youngest at 40 but my sisters and brothers were all born in the 60s and 70s so I had the absolute beautiful pleasure to get introduced to every single musical genre you could imagine..
My mum was always for the 50s /60s pop my dad 60s reggae and those white labels that were just instrumental and rare to get unless you had family send you them they were cold pressed and if you could make and Lo and not care about the taxes to get your talent out that was key.
My brother the rave and 70 electro scene my sister the jungle and acid house and I slotted into the uk garage scene which I will play till the day I 💀 😅.
It’s lovely because every generation has their sound and I’m blessed to have grown up in such an eclectic house hold of cultures and music , it really made me who I am today.
@marklilley589
Blimey one minute I'm eleven years old listening to this and the next I am an old bugger aged sixty five.
@davidtatro7457
What a wonderful tune, both for the lyrics and message and the super groovy backgrounds.
@jamesmiller6977
I was a young white Mod youth of 17 in 1970, and this was the song which defined my free teenage years between leaving school and joining the Army. It will always have a place in my heart.
@Mrbrbusby
I was the son of an American serviceman at RAF Lakenheath when Marcia released it. We were enlisted mens sons and were taught with British nationals along with the kids on the council estates. We frequently got the cane right along with him. Still I can’t listen to this and remember England. Thanks for your service mate. 🏴
@TerryBerry-up7vf
I am 29 ,young gifted and black.Wasnt around when this came out but I am loving it❤
@altheamcintosh9757
This was one of my favorites songs growing up in 🇯🇲Jamaica where those artists are from. I now live in the USA and today I saw my 10 years old grandson came in from school wearing a T shirt with that quote written on it. It took me back to my childhood days 😊then I played this song for him and he ❤️💕it. Thanks for sharing.