Robert Parris "Bob" Moses is an educator and civil rights activist.
A cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, this song has been performed by numerous artists, including Odetta, Mahalia Jackson, and Pete Seeger. It is derived from the traditional folk tune, "Gospel Plow," which was first credited to Elihu Trusty of Paintsville, Kentucky. The words for the Civil Rights version of the song are usually attributed to Alice Wine of Johns Island, South Carolina. The song is performed here by Robert Parris Morris for the 1990 Smithsonian Folkways album, Sing For Freedom.
Paul and Silas bound in jail Had no money for to go their bail Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Paul and Silas thought they was lost Dungeon shook and the chains come off Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Freedom's name is mighty sweet And soon we're gonna meet Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on I got my hand on the gospel plow Won't take nothing for my journey now Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Soozie! Only chain that a man can stand Is that chain o' hand on hand Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on I'm gonna board that big greyhound Carry the love from town to town Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hey! Hey! Now only thing I did was wrong Stayin' in the wilderness too long Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on The only thing we did was right Was the day we started to fight Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on One, two! (The only thing we did was wrong) (Staying in the wilderness too long) (Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on) Woah, woah! (The only thing we did was right) (Was the day we started to fight) (Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on) Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on Ain't been to heaven but I been told Streets up there are paved with gold