The cost of human life was very low A man who's black is trampled on Just like men were a thousand years ago
But these are more enlightened days Cruel men and savage ways we left long ago Now everyone can walk their road in peace For all are free!
Five thousand years ago a million men Were gathered into royal Egypt's hands Bound together, forced to build Pyramids of stone in desert sand
Oh Mary's son walked through a land of woe Dreaming of the world as it could be The good and lawful men of Rome Nailed him like a robber to a tree
In Britain just a hundred years ago The gaols were full of poor and hungry men Diggers, chartists, many more Fought and died and rose to fight again
Last year a Negro stole a dollar bill The judge he said "We mustn't be severe Instead of death we'll give him life imprisonment To show there's justice here"
And so throughout the ages we have seen How progress marches ever on its way No rack, no wheel, no Spanish boot For Alabama's prisoners today
The plague still runs throughout the world today Johannesburg to Notting Hill and back A plague of ignorance and hate Some walk in fear because their skin is black
So in these more enlightened days No room for all these savage ways Leave them, let them go Now everyone should walk their road in peace Let all be free!