To be Young, Gifted and Black

Nina Simone CDs

Forever Young, Gifted & Black: Songs of Freedom and Spirit (2006) / Anthology (2003) Nina: The Essential Nina Simone (2000, 2003)

The Very Best Of Nina Simone, 1967-1972 : Sugar In My Bowl (1998) / The Blues (1968, 1991) / Compact Jazz: Nina Simone (1989-1991)

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To Be Young, Gifted And Black

Sang by Nina Simone

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

Note: "To Be Young, Gifted And Black," written 1969 Nina Simone and Weldon Irvine, Jr., was -- inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's play of the same title.

Ain't Got No...I've Got Life (video) / Four Women (video) / / Feelings (video)

Harlem Festival, Part 2 (video) / Harlem Festival, Part 3 (video) / Harlem Festival, Part 4 (video)

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update 6 July 2008