What you got to say to di nation?
Mr. Preacher-man
What you goin' to say when the youths dem turn away?

I've been a believer for all of my life
But there've been constant conflicts, raging in my mind
The people are hurting and crying and searching
And waiting for a reason to go on
And all you can say is go pray and be patient
It won't be this way for too long
Sitting and waiting to me that seems crazy
Making them lazy in your congregation
Pleading to a Saviour, an emancipator
Whose very behaviour proves you wrong
So tell me

Mr. Preacher-man
What you got to say to di nation?
Mr. Preacher-man
What you goin' to say when the youths dem turn away?

Since the very beginning you've told them the end was near
Fearing damnation they buy their salvation
Not living while they're still here
But you will have to answer too, for all di tings unnu neva do
'Cause what you teach in Sunday school, you don't demonstrate
A use emotions tie dem down instead a sen dem fi go roun'
And live di words wha dem a soun', mek dem participate

Mr. Preacher-man
What you got to say to di nation?
Mr. Preacher-man
What you goin' to say when the youths dem turn away?

Di people caught up in religion, traditions of a people
Who did hold us in subjection
Rejection of the power that was in our possession
Before all a dis regression
Back when we an di Creator had an intimate relationship
Before dem even lan' ova 'pon di motherlan'
Before dem even get fi ask di question
If we needed dem religion, dem givin' it to we
A look excuse fi carry dem infection cross di sea
Den dem tek di ancient people put dem into slavery
Rape and murder in di holy name of Christianity
Yes religion is the tool, was the tool of the oppressor
'Cause they never plan to set the people free
So tell mi

Mr. Preacher-man
What is your reaction to the problems that we facing
Is not no blame we placing, we jus' pleadin' we case in
Di best way that we can
Please help the I dem overstand
Please help the I dem overstand

Mr. Preacher-man
What you got to say to di nation?
Oh Mr. Preacher-man
When the youths dem turn away?
Tell me Mr. Preacher-man
What you got to say?