They wait to plead their case, unknown cast aside.
I love to see their face, can we spare the light?
Are we afraid to see the prisoners of history?
These beautiful minds, trapped inside.
Bring them back to life.

Let ’em shine.
Let ’em shine on.
Let ’em shine.
Let ’em shine on.

So dark, but I see sparks, if we don’t snuff them out.
We gotta light them flame, let them speak their name.
Let them reach up to the clouds.
Can’t eat if we don’t feed them.
Can’t read if we don’t teach them.
There’s no line if we just hide them.
Don’t just let ’em die.

Let ’em shine.
Let ’em shine on.
Let ’em shine.
Let ’em shine on.
Let ’em shine.
Let ’em shine on.

-John Legend and The Roots “Shine”