96 degrees in the shade 
real hot in the shade 

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 [bad word] 
with my representation 
you know where [bad word] 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 [bad word] is I'll never die 

96 degrees in the shade 
real hot in the shade