To Be Young Gifted and Black
Donny Hathaway Lyrics
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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
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
The song "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" by Donny Hathaway is an uplifting anthem that explores the experiences of young black people who possess innate talent and intelligence. The lyrics celebrate the beauty of this combination and encourage its listeners to cherish and embrace it. Hathaway's words inspire a sense of pride and belonging in young black individuals who might otherwise have felt marginalized.
The song also touches on the challenges that young black people face in a world that still struggles with racial inequality. Hathaway encourages young people to believe in themselves and to be open to the possibilities that lay ahead. He recognizes the importance of mentorship, urging those who are "young, gifted and black" to take on the responsibility of teaching and leading others.
Ultimately, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" is a call to action for young black people to dream big, believe in themselves, and embrace their unique abilities. It is a powerful message of hope and resilience that remains relevant today as we continue to strive for a world in which every individual is recognized and valued for who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
To be young, gifted and black
Having youth, talent and being of African American origin is a magnificent aspiration
Oh what a lovely precious dream
It is wonderful to dream about being young, talented and African American
To be young, gifted and black
Having youth, talent and being of African American origin is a magnificent aspiration
Open your heart to what I mean
Listen with an open mind to understand the importance of being young, talented and African American
In the whole world you know
All around the world, there are billions of young talented African American boys and girls
There are billion boys and girls
There are billions of young talented African American boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black
These talented young individuals are of African American origin
And that's a fact!
This is an indisputable truth
Young, gifted and black
These young individuals possess youth, talent and have African American origin
We must begin to tell our young
We need to start informing and educating our young African American talent
There's a world waiting for you
There is a vast world out there that needs the talents of African American youth
This is a quest that's just begun
This is just the beginning of a journey towards greatness
When you feel really low
During those moments of utter despair
Yeah, there's a great truth you should know
There is an essential truth that one should understand
When you're young, gifted and black
Being young, talented and of African American origin makes one special and unique
Your soul's intact
These attributes do not diminish one's inner qualities
Young, gifted and black
These young individuals possess youth, talent and have African American origin
How I long to know the truth
I yearn to discover the truth
There are times when I look back
Sometimes I reflect on the past
And I am haunted by my youth
Sometimes the memories of my youth are distressing
Oh but my joy of today
But today, my happiness stems from
Is that we can all be proud to say
The fact that we can all take pride in saying
To be young, gifted and black
Being young, talented and of African American origin is something to be proud of
Is where it's at
It's the place to be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nina Simone, Weldon Irvine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind