I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam

Hear me, hear me

Didn't I sail the water against my every will?
Didn't I fetch that water when your bucket needed a refill?
Where was all the water when the fire was burning up the cross?
I'm your nephew too it's true, oh, hear me, Mr. Boss

I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam

Can you hear me, can you hear me? Listen to me

Didn't I get all A's in school, oh, yes I did now Uncle Sam
My books did not have covers on 'em still I did the best I can
How come I can't get no job, I just don't understand
Don't you love me anymore, why can't you tell me Uncle Sam

I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam

I've lived the life a citizen's supposed to
So why I gotta be the illegitimate nephew
Remember me, Uncle Sam I fought your war
And went all out not knowing what I was fighting for

Sam why'd you let them rape my great grandmother?
Then go to the oak tree and hang her brother
When Abe was slaving there wasn't a fuss
So where was you when they was in my yard burning the cross?

Do you love me or what, Uncle Sam, what is it?
You wanna maim me and claim the grand wizard
I'll let that pass and marched for a just 'cause
Then got uncivilized rights with unenforced laws

Passed your curriculum got a diploma
And can't get a job 'cause my skin has color
You say things changed between now and then
Now, I wanna know the difference between me and him?

I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam

Can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can't you hear me Uncle Sam

I'm your nephew, yes it's true , oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended

Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): PAULA SHERIELD, PRINCE ROGERS NELSON