Certainly Lord (Civil Rights Song Lyrics & Videos)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides lyrics and videos of the civil rights song "Certainly Lord."

This civil rights song is based on the African American Gospel song with the same title, That song is also known as "Have You Got Good Religion". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/have-you-got-good-religion-african.html for a post about that religious song.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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LYRICS: CERTAINLY LORD
Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Certainly, Certainly, Certainly Lord.

We'll march for our rights.
(Certainly, Lord.)
We'll march for our rights.
(Certainly, Lord.)
We'll march for our rights.
(Certainly, Lord.)
Certainly, Certainly, Certainly, Lord.

We'll go to jail.
(Certainly, Lord.)
We'll go to jail.
(Certainly, Lord.)
We'll go to jail.
(Certainly, Lord.)
Certainly, Certainly, Certainly, Lord.

Jail over bail.*
(Certainly, Lord)
Jail over bail.
(Certainly, Lord.)
Jail over bail.
(Certainly, Lord.)
Certainly, Certainly, Certainly, Lord.

Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Do you want your freedom?
(Certainly, Lord.)
Certainly, Certainly, Certainly Lord
Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord.
Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord.

-snip-
* "Jail over bail" means that the person arrested chooses to remain in jail rather than have his or her bail paid and be released from jail. This strategy draws media attention to the cause being protested.

This is my recollection of this song. It is sung using a call & response pattern. The soloist asks the initial question, the rest the choir or congregation sing "Certainly, Lord", and the soloist and the choir/congregation sing "Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord".

Like other African American Civil Rights songs of the 1960s, the words of this song were changed and can still be changed. Read another version of these lyrics below.

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FEATURED YOUTUBE EXAMPLES

Update Feb 6, 2017

The civil rights version of this song appears to no longer be available. Here's the transcription of the sound file that was published by goblinpug, Uploaded on Apr 10, 2010

from Voices Of The Civil Rights Movement Part 2: Ensembles
-snip-
Here is my transcription of those lyrics. Additions and corrections Have you been to the jail? (Certainly Lord) Have you been to the jail? (Certainly Lord) Have you been to the jail? (Certainly Lord) Certainly, Certainly, Certainly Lord
[Sing in the same pattern]
Well, did you do your thirty days?

Well, did you do your time?

Well, would you go back again?

Oh, will you fight for freedom?

Oh, will you tell it to the world?

Oh, will you tell it to the judge?

[after the last verse] Certainly, Certainly, Certainly Lord
Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord.
Certainly, certainly, certainly Lord.

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