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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Kirk Franklin
Vocals
Stevie Wonder
Vocals
African Children's Choir
Choir
Anaysha Figueroa
Choir
Anthony Evans
Choir
Ashley Guilbert
Choir
Braylon Lacy
Bass Guitar
Chris Godbey
Programming
Daphanie Wright
Choir
Dave Monsch
Baritone Saxophone
Doc Powell
Guitar
Eric Moore
Choir
Erica Davis
Choir
Faith Anderson
Choir
Humberto Ruiz
Trombone
Isaac Carree
Choir
Jamie Hovorka
Trumpet
Jana Bell
Choir
Jason Bell
Guitar
Jason Boyd
Percussion
Jason Champion
Choir
Jerome Harmon
Hammond Organ
Lee Thornburg
Trumpet
Myron Butler
Choir
Nikki Ross
Choir
Paul Cerra
Saxophone
Ryan Toby
Percussion
Shaun Martin
Programming
Terry Baker
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Kirk Franklin
Songwriter
Susaye Greene
Songwriter
Henry Redd
Songwriter
Nathan Watts
Songwriter
Deniece Williams
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Kirk Franklin
Producer
Shaun Martin
Co-Producer
Chris Godbey
Co-Producer
Herb Powers, Jr.
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
Verse 1: Kirk
I pledge allegiance to the (tell me what we gon' do)
I used to know you but (you don't call like you used to)
If you still love me can I
(give me a chance just to say how I feel, it may hurt you but what I'm seeing is real)
We're killing babies and (I love to see children play)
I've got depression (there's a new pill I saw today)
How hypocritical to (nothing is wrong take a picture and just smile money's coming after while)
Chorus 1
Why oh why
We keep believing lies
Why oh why
Did Laci have to die
Why oh why
Lord tell me when our change is gon' come
Verse 2: Stevie
There are no fathers and (the system's holding me down)
Sisters are dying of AIDS (I know my man don't sleep around)
Don't be stupid listen (we all gon' die. And since you only live once, you do you, you go head, live your life)
We're building churches but (my pastor is on TV)
But are we building people (I filed for divorce last week)
We're wasting money tell me (why should I save? Let me have my worldly things; God said He'll supply my needs)
(that ain't what he means)
Why oh why
Can't our soldiers come back home
Why oh why
It seems like innocence is gone
Why oh why
Lord tell me when our change is gon' come
Why oh why
Are people still losing their jobs
Why oh why
We're spending money building bombs
Why oh why
Lord tell me when our change is gon' come
I just wanna be free, free, free
I just wanna be free, free, free
I just wanna be free, free, free
Wake up no more sleeping (seems like my life ain't gon' change)
Let's stop making excuses (I pray but things still stay the same)
See Jesus said that He will (please take this pain, I can't make it on my own, ain't no sunshine when You're gone)
Why oh why
Don't we give you a chance
Why oh why
Put our life in Your hands
Why oh why
Are we afraid to say Your name
Why oh why
Is it because we want the fame
Why oh why
Did my homeboy have to take his life
Why oh why
That homeless man's outside tonight
Why oh why
When trouble comes we wanna pray
Why oh why
Our country pushes You away
Why oh why
I wanna know
Why oh why
I wanna know, I wanna know
Why oh why
I wanna know
Why oh why
I wanna know, I wanna know
Why oh why
Lord tell me when our change is gon' come
Written by: Deniece Williams, Henry Redd, Kirk Franklin, Nathan Watts, Susaye Greene