To Be Young Gifted and Black
Bob and Marcia Lyrics


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Young, gifted and black
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
And that's a fact!

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

Overall Meaning

The song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" by Bob and Marcia celebrates the greatness and potential of young black individuals. It begins with the concept that being young, gifted, and black is a wonderful and priceless dream. This dream is open to all black boys and girls around the world, and it is a fact that they all have the gift of greatness within them. The song inspires young people to realize their potential by acknowledging their gifts and telling them about the enormous world that awaits them.


In the second verse, the singer offers a life lesson for anyone feeling low. They suggest that in times of despair, a person should remember that their soul is still intact as long as they are young, gifted, and black. The third verse is a reflection of the singer's own youth, where they long to know the truth, and at times, they are haunted by past experiences. However, they are grateful for the present where everyone can be proud and celebrate being young, gifted, and black.


Overall, this song is an empowering anthem that uplifts and inspires anyone who is young, gifted, and black to pursue their dreams and realize their potential.


Line by Line Meaning

Young, gifted and black
Being young, talented, and black is a beautiful and precious dream.


Oh what a lovely precious dream
Being young, talented, and black is an ideal worth aspiring to.


Open your heart to what I mean
Listen and understand what I am trying to convey.


In the whole world you know
Around the globe, there are billions of young, talented, and black boys and girls.


There are billion boys and girls
There are countless young, talented, and black individuals in the world.


Who are young, gifted and black
These individuals possess the youth, talent, and skin color that are worth celebrating.


And that's a fact!
This is an indisputable reality.


We must begin to tell our young
It is our responsibility to inform and inspire the next generation.


There's a world waiting for you
There is a whole universe out there for young, talented, and black individuals to explore.


This is a quest that's just begun
The journey to realize such potential has just started.


When you feel really low
During times of self-doubt and hardship,


Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
Remember this significant truth:


To be young, gifted and black
Your youth, talent, and skin color are assets that are inherently valuable.


Your soul's intact
These assets are part of your being- they cannot be taken away.


Oh how I long to know the truth
There is a desire to uncover and understand the truth about being young, talented, and black.


There are times when I look back
Reflecting on past experiences that shaped the desire to seek truth.


And I am haunted by my youth
Memories of the past can linger and affect one's present mindset.


But my joy of today
Despite this, there is happiness found in the present.


Is that we can all be proud to say
A sense of pride can be felt amongst young, talented, and black individuals.


Is where it's at
The ideal state of being is to be young, talented, and black.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nina Simone, Weldon Irvine

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@amandashare1281

I'm a 65 year old ungifted white woman, but I really love this song, it takes me back to a simpler time in my life.

@lyndabourn5897

Same xx

@oscarreidd5336

All people are gifted from different races gods gift to man wer women .

@CoachEyez

Everybody gifted and something. Keep your head up.

@markelliott6591

I am 55 , my mother uses sing this song ❤❤

@vynahrenaud8600

😂 but u sound good hearted.

15 More Replies...

@eligeorge

I love this version, though am reminded of how personal this song was for Nina Simone. She was brilliant, but the music industry didn't want a dark skinned, politically active woman to get any recognition. Her youth must have been very hard--but she wrote this song to give courage to the next generation.

@bongoeshebantu6713

Beautifully said. Thank you 😊!!

@mforganics4985

Nina wrote it

@oscarreidd5336

Great song God bless Nina ❤

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