"Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" is a folk song that became influential during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. It is based on the traditional song, "Gospel Plow," also known as "Hold On," "Keep Your Hand on the Plow," and various permutations thereof. The lyrics to the modern Civil Rights version of the song, "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" are often attributed to Alice Wine from Johns Island, South Carolina.
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