* all of Barack Obama's lyrics are sampled from a campaign speech in the 2008 NH primary
* Barack Obama and will.i.am's vocals frequently and purposefully overlap throughout
[Verse 1: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
It was a creed, written into the founding documents
That declared the destiny, of a nation - yes we can
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists
As they blazed a trail toward freedom - yes we can, yes we can
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores
And pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness
Oh, yes we can, it was the call of workers who organized
Women who reached for the ballots
A President who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a King who took us to the mountaintop
And pointed the way to the Promised Land, yes we can to justice, and equality
[Hook: Various Artists]
Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can
Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can
Yes we can - ohhhh! We can... (Yes we can!)
Yes we can - ohhhh! We can...
[Verse 2: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
Yes we can, to opportunity and prosperity
Yes we can, to opportunity and prosperity
Yes we can heal this nation (Heal this nation!)
Yes we can repair this world (Repair this world!)
Yes we can
[Hook: Various Artists]
Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can
Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can
Yes we can - ohhhh! We can... (Yes we can!)
Yes we can - ohhhh! We can...
Sí, se puede!
[Verse 3: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
We know, the battle ahead will be long
But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way
Nothing can stand
In the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change
(We want change! We want change! We want change! We want change!)
(We want change! We want change! We want change! We want change!)
We want change...we want change...
We want change... I want change...
We have been told we cannot do this
By a chorus of cynics; they will only grow louder and more dissonant
We've been asked to pause for a reality check
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope
(We want change! We want change! We want change! We want change!)
(We want change! We want change! We want change! We want change!)
I want change... it's all gonna change
I want change... I want change... I wanna change
[Verse 4: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
Now the hopes, of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon
Are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A
We will remember that there is something happening in America
That we are not as divided as our politics suggests
That we are one people; we are one nation
And together, we will begin the next great chapter, in the American story
With three words that will ring from coast to coast
From sea to shining sea -- yes, we can
[Bridge: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
Yes, we can
[Outro: will.i.am and friends singing, Barack Obama speaking]
Yes we can, mhmm.. oh, yes we can, yes we can
Ooh, yes we can
