96 degrees in the shade
Real hot, in the shade
96 degrees in the shade
Real hot (oh yes) 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 (ooh yes) in the shade
96 degrees in the shade
Real hot (oh yes) 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
96 degrees in the shade
Real hot (oh yes) in the shade

96 degrees in the shade
Real hot, in the shade
96 degrees in the shade
Real hot in the shade
Watching the shade now

96 degrees in the shade
Real hot (oh yes) in the shade
96 degrees in the shade..

Note:
1865, the title of the song, was the year that Baptist deacon and preacher Paul Bogle was hanged by British authorities. Paule Bogle led the 1865 Morant Bay Protesters, who agitated for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica.