During a horrific war
That divided our country in two
Abraham Lincoln freed all African Americans
From their chains of bondage

Though they were free
Discrimination and hatred
Continued to follow the African American people
Even long after the war had ended
The black race was not truly free

It would be almost another 100 years
Before African Americans
Were able to have true freedom
With valiant men and women
Both black and white
Fighting bravely to win
Equal Civil Rights

From the right to vote
To the right of due process
To the abolishment of
The separate but equal doctrine

Little by little, African Americans
Won equal Civil Rights
So that a 200-year old statement
“All men are created equal”
Would at last ring true
Throughout this great land