Don't you know it's darkest before the dawn
And this thought keeps me moving on
If we could heed these early warnings
The time is now, quiet early morning

Some say that human kind won't long endure
But what makes them of so sure
I know that you who hear my singing
Can make those freedom bells go on ringing

And so we keep on while we live
Until we have no more to give
And when our fingers can strum no longer
Hand the old banjo to the young ones stronger

So though it's darkest before the dawn
These thoughts keep us moving on
Through all this world of joy and sorrow
We still can have singing tomorrows