Chorus:
I know I can make it. 
I know I can make it ‘cause I have a religion of my 
own.

Rather be a poor boy out on the road,
Tryin' to live by a higher code,
than to be a rich man in my grave.
It don't matter how much you save,
for no hope eternal springs 
from the want of earthly things.
By and by gonna meet your maker.
Ain't no out of work undertaker.
I saidÂ…

Chorus:
I know I can make it. 
I know I can make it ‘cause I have a religion of my 
own.

When we commence to the undertaken,
gonna find out who's real and who's fakin'.
When you meet him face to face,
Can't nobody else take your place.
You're gonna be in all ways tried.
Your access been denied.
Count up all the moments wasted,
Every sip of damnation tasted. 
I saidÂ…

Chorus (x 2):
I know I can make it. 
I know I can make it ‘cause I have a religion of my 
own.

Some folks sing and some folks holler. 
Talkin' all about that healing water.
But now, who you gonna follow,
when so many of their songs bring hollow.
You're gonna be always tried.
Your access been denied.
By and by gonna meet you maker.
Ain't no out of work undertaker.
I saidÂ…

I know I can make it. 
I know I can make it.
I know I can make it.
I know that I can.

Chorus:
I know I can make it. 
I know I can make it ‘cause I have a religion of my 
own.