Sing Out, Shout Out

forty years ago today

independence came our way

welcomed by our struggling songs

it came but would not stay

and we, wanting to believe,

let ourselves be deceived

by the well-groomed speech of ambitious men

who time proved to be thieves

but the years wore on and nothing changed

new flag, new name, same old game

where the lucky laugh and the poor endure

having lost the will to fight again

Chorus

i remember when we were young

and hope was strong

and we had waited long

to hear the midnight bell

that would dispel

the age that kept us down

i recall when we would bleed

'cause we believed

freedom was in reach

of those who seized the day

but freedom came and faded like a dream

children of a passing age

remnants of a dying rage

whose anthems swept across this land

proclaiming a new day

and we waited patiently

for the elusive decree

that would rub away the scars we bore

and set our voices free

but the years slipped by and nothing came

tyrants just bore different names

while the official line promised brighter times

we knew all things remained the same

independence, what an elusive dream

things are never ever what they seem

marchin' hand in hand awaitin' the command

of the liberator, soon to be the henchman

people's vanguard, propaganda ministry

freedom fighters fillin' the ranks of the secret police

while the tale on the times told in obituary lines

we offer our resistance with these humble rhymes

sing out, shout out, the dream never dies....

Speeches: Jawarhalal Nehru, August 15th, 1947, On India's Independence

Milton Obote, October 9th, 1962, On the Independence of Uganda

Winston Churchill, June 18th, 1940, Address to House of Commons