There was a Country

There was a country
Built on pride and prejudice
blood and gore
Groans and grit
Built by the men, pushed to the wall, with nowhere to go

There was a country
A place where we felt safe
Like we were in our father's obi
Where we did not have to hide
For everyman was brother

There was a country
A people, a movement, a spirit
We had faith in ourselves
We had the respect of the enemy
We had no ties, but we were rooted

There was a country
They try today to make us forget
that such a dream ever was real
Sticks and stones may break our bones,
But our hearts never will forget this truth
You may imprison our name, but not our spirit.

There used to be a country; our country,
Our land of unity in barefaced dignity.