My mama told me, ever since I was seven
Hold your head up high
My parents told me, ever since I was eleven
Hold your head up high

They said the answer was to become a dancer
Hold your head high
Oh, just like I figured, they're always disfigured
With their heads up high

Now I'm older, I'm getting so much bolder
With my head up high
Oh, as I figured, just like I figured
Since your head's up high, baby

Oh, just like I figured
You know, they was disfigured
Hold your head up high
You know, they say the answer was to become a dancer
Hold your head high, boy

Ever since I was a baby on my mama's knee
Oh, just listened to what everybody told me, oh yes, I did
But still the answer was to become a dancer
And hold your head high
But, just like I figured, they're always disfigured
They hold their heads up high

Watch out! Yeah!
Do the dog! Oh, watch out!

And now I'm older, they say I'm so much bolder
Got your head up high
Oh, and the answer was, hey, to become a dancer
Head up high

Well, but just like I figured, they're always disfigured
They got their heads up high
But the answer was, now, boy, to become a dancer
With your head up high

Head up high, head up high
Head up high, head up high
Head up high, head up high