said it was 96 degrees in the shade ten thousand soldiers on parade taking i and i to meet a big fat boy sent from overseas the queen employ excellency before you i come with my representation you know where i m coming from you caught me on the loose fighting to be free now you show me a noose on the cotton tree entertainment for you martyrdom for me 96 degrees in the shade real hot in the shade some may suffer and some may burn but i know that one day my people will learn as sure as the sun shines way up in the sky today i stand here a victim the truth is i ll never die 96 degrees in the shade real hot in the shade