Someday We'll All Be Free
by Donnie Hathaway
Marching For You
We marched because we had to, son
We were tired of dying slow
Burned and beaten with whips of hate
For reasons we didn't know.
Tired of standing in the back of life
Awaiting the freedom of death
Tired of bowing with downcast eyes
And holding our angry breath.
We were tired of living like cattle
Sold in the markets of men
Cursed with a curse, (not mankind) something worse
When existing was our only sin.
We were tired of working for nothing
Owning no thing but our souls
Watching our labor make other men rich
As they reached, (on our backs) for their goals.
Son, we only wanted what was rightfully ours
A family, a home and some land
To be treated fairly and given respect
Like any other color of man.
We marched because we had to
Through this country we call home
(A million miles from the place we were born)
But to which we will ever belong.
In Selma and in Memphis
In Atlanta, Little Rock
Downtown D.C. and Kentucky
And they could not make us stop.
Many died and many cried
As we marched our way through hell
And what our pain has helped us gain
Only God can tell.
Injustice hides it's face from those
Who dare to shine the light
We marched to show our dignity
And to change our wrongs to rights.
We marched because we had to, son
We were tired of hearing "no"
We fought for the freedom that you're taking for granted
In ways that you never will know.
So, don't scorn these tired and graying heads
We're feeble and old, that's true
But as you dance down the street to this new century beat
Know this, son, we were marching for you.
We were tired of dying slow
Burned and beaten with whips of hate
For reasons we didn't know.
Tired of standing in the back of life
Awaiting the freedom of death
Tired of bowing with downcast eyes
And holding our angry breath.
We were tired of living like cattle
Sold in the markets of men
Cursed with a curse, (not mankind) something worse
When existing was our only sin.
We were tired of working for nothing
Owning no thing but our souls
Watching our labor make other men rich
As they reached, (on our backs) for their goals.
Son, we only wanted what was rightfully ours
A family, a home and some land
To be treated fairly and given respect
Like any other color of man.
We marched because we had to
Through this country we call home
(A million miles from the place we were born)
But to which we will ever belong.
In Selma and in Memphis
In Atlanta, Little Rock
Downtown D.C. and Kentucky
And they could not make us stop.
Many died and many cried
As we marched our way through hell
And what our pain has helped us gain
Only God can tell.
Injustice hides it's face from those
Who dare to shine the light
We marched to show our dignity
And to change our wrongs to rights.
We marched because we had to, son
We were tired of hearing "no"
We fought for the freedom that you're taking for granted
In ways that you never will know.
So, don't scorn these tired and graying heads
We're feeble and old, that's true
But as you dance down the street to this new century beat
Know this, son, we were marching for you.
©by Voo
Jan 19, 08
5:37 p.m.
