i ve been around for a very long time i cut sugar cane pon dem plantation i ve wiped all my tears yet still i m cry nuttin ever last forever but salvation they gave i i 30 pieces of silver 30 pieces of gold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul and i see dem gotta lotta money inna dem billfold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul see i ve got cuts and scars to show i wanna run but i can not go shackles and chains are all up on me brother man can you tell my mother what s happening that i m gonna be the next victim of an auction sale five pounds and a shilling inna bale and they gave i i 30 pieces of silver 30 pieces of gold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul and i see dem gotta lotta money inna dem billfold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul they took away my sisters baby said they wanted him to becoma a house nigga i tried to runaway from the hands of slavery but the slave master pulled his trigger and they gave i i 30 pieces of silver 30 pieces of gold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul and i see dem gotta lotta money inna dem billfold but who is gonna pay reparation for my soul who is gonna pay reparation for my soul when there is so much segregation who is gonna pay reparation for my soul when there is so much sufferation i ask the united nation what s up kofi annan 