said it was 96 degrees in the shade ten thousand soldiers on parade taking i and i to meet a big fat boy sent from overseas the queen employ excellency before you i come with my representation you know where i'm coming from
you caught me on the loose fighting to be free now you show me a noose on the cotton tree entertainment for you martyrddom for me
96 degrees in the shade real hot in the shade
some may suffer and some may burn but i know that one day my people will learn as sure as the sun shines, way up in the sky today i stand here a victim the truth is i'll never die