I'm just a poor girl trying to be free
Can you follow me
I'm just a poor girl trying to be free
I'm not made of rags and bone
I want my soul and spirit flown
And the glory that's a morning of our own

Closer to the people
Bring me closer to the people

Gotta get
To the living
Playing with my mind
I was hip
Like o'day
Haunted by a lul-la-bye

Closer to the people
Bring me closer to the people

On the other side
When they shout
When they holler
Don't leave me in this double night

Closer to the people
Bring me closer to the people

When I look up to heaven
And I see the climb
Every step
I dance brightly
La pas ma la of old ragtime
Gotta get
To the be-bop

Closer to the people
Bring me closer to the people