Keep Your Eyes on the Prize comes from an old spiritual song about continuing despite adversity. The lyrics were adapted during the Civil Rights Movement by activist Alice Wine in 1956.

The song became a quintessential Civil Rights anthem, as the words tell about transcending oppression and persevering despite any struggle or obstacles that may arise in one’s path.

Lyrics

Paul and Silas bound in jail
Had no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Paul and Silas began to shout
Jail door opened and they walked out
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

I got my hand on the gospel plow
Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Well the only thing we did was wrong
Stayed in the wilderness too long
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

The only thing that we did was right
Was the day we started to fight
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

We met jail and violence too
But god’s love will see us through
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Only chain that we can stand
Is the chain o’ hand on hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

03 Aug 2014