To Be Young Gifted and Black
Debbie Sledge Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

To be 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
When you're young, gifted and black
Your soul's intact

Young, gifted and black
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

Overall Meaning

The song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" by Debbie Sledge is an empowering anthem celebrating the beauty and potential of young black individuals. The lyrics highlight the dream-like state of being young, gifted, and black, emphasizing the preciousness and loveliness of this identity. The song encourages listeners to open their hearts to understanding the significance of being young, gifted, and black.

The lyrics emphasize that young, gifted, and black individuals are not alone in the world. There are billions of boys and girls who share this identity, further grounding the message that being young, gifted, and black is a fact to be celebrated. This highlights the universality of the experience and the potential for collective strength and unity among young people of color.

The song recognizes the importance of informing and inspiring young black individuals about the opportunities that await them in the world. It emphasizes that this journey towards fulfilling their potential has just begun, urging the listeners to embrace the quest and make the most of their talents and abilities.

The lyrics also address moments of self-doubt and low spirits that might arise in the lives of young, gifted, and black individuals. It offers reassurance that even in those challenging times, their souls remain intact. This suggests that despite any setbacks or obstacles they may face, their inherent worth and value cannot be diminished.

The chorus of the song expresses the longing to understand the truth, particularly in relation to the experiences of black individuals. The lyrics reflect on past reminiscences and acknowledge the haunting nature of reflecting on one's youth. However, the joy of the present lies in the ability to proudly affirm that being young, gifted, and black is where true greatness lies. It celebrates the power and potential that come from embracing this identity and encourages listeners to feel pride in who they are.

Line by Line Meaning

To be young, gifted and black
Having the combination of youth, talent, and Black heritage

Oh what a lovely precious dream
It is a beautiful and valuable aspiration

Open your heart to what I mean
Be receptive to understanding my message

In the whole world you know
Across the entire globe

There are billion boys and girls
There are countless young individuals

Who are young, gifted and black
Who possess youth, talent, and Black heritage

And that's a fact!
This is an undeniable truth

We must begin to tell our young
We need to start informing our youth

There's a world waiting for you
There is a whole world full of opportunities and possibilities awaiting them

This is a quest that's just begun
It is an ongoing journey and exploration

When you feel really low
During moments of deep sadness or despair