Nas

[Intro: Obama] 
They said this day would never come. 
They said our sights were set too high. 
They said this country was too divided; 
too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose. 
They Said, They Said . . . 

[Hook (2x): Tupac] 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 

Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World ) 
(They Said!) 

[Verse 1: Nas] 
They forgot us on the block 
Got us in the box 
Solitary confinement 
How violent are these cops? 
They need an early retirement 
How many rallies will I watch? 
I ain't got it in me to march 
I got a semi to spark 
The game's in a drought 

Public housing, projects 
Cooking up in the Pyrex 
My set, my click 
Either getting money 
Or running from homicide trial 
That's if they ain't died yet 

Trying to be rich 
Still I'm pledging allegiance 
A predicate felon, a ghetto leader 
Lending my poetical genius 
To whoever may need it 
I bleed this from Queensbridge 
Now living with my feet up 
Never defeated 
So a president's needed 
Y'know these colored folks and Negroes 
Hate to see one of their own succeeding 
America, surprised us 
And let a black man guide us 

[Hook (2x): Tupac] 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 

Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World ) 
(They Said!) 

What’s the black pres. thinkin’ on election night 
Is it how can I protect my life? 
Protect my wife? 
Protect my rights? 
Every other president was nothin' less than white 
Except Thomas Jefferson and mixed Indian blood 
and Calvin coolers 
KKK is like 'what the f**k', loadin' they guns up 
loadin' mine too, Ready to ride 
Cause im ridin with my crew 
He dies - we die too 
But on a positive side, 
I think Obama provides Hope - and challenges minds 
Of all races and colors to erase the hate 
And try and love one another, so many political snakes 
We in need of a break 
Im thinkin' I can trust this brotha 
But will he keep it way real? 
Every innocent n!gga in jail - gets out on appeal 
When he wins - will he really care still? 
I feel . . . 

[Hook (2x): Tupac] 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 

Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World ) 
(They Said!) 

Say a prayer for "do we have to?" 
You ain't right, Jeremiah Wrong pastor 
In love with a slave master 
Sincerely yours: 
USA most brave rapper 
Jesse car-jacker 
Uncle Tom-kidnapper 
Ask around 
Bentley Coupe off the Richter 
B!tch-called-life, I pimped her 
What? 
Politics, politricks 
Klan-shooter 
Deacon for defense 
Progress-producer 
Nothing on the stove 
A survival-booster 

Gotta do what we gotta do 
We ain't got no governors coming through - to help 
anything we need done, we gotta do for self 

New-improved JFK on the way 
It ain't the 60's again 
N!ggas ain't hippies again 
We ain't falling for the same traps 
Standing on the balconies 
Where they shot the King at 
McCain got apologies 
Ain't nobody hearing that 
People need honesty 

[Hook (2x): Tupac] 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 
And though it seems heaven sent, 
we ain't ready to see a black President 

Yes We Can ... Change the World (Change the World ) 
(They Said!) 

[Outro] 
It is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce the next President of the United States: 
Barack Obama. 
(Applause)