They marched deep in the jungle
They crossed the swamp and bramble
They were mothers, they were children
Our kin in humankind
They were running from oppression
In lands where life is a gamble
They were searching paths of freedom
They were seeking specks of hope
They sang the songs of freedom
They cried the tears of hope
They were dreaming of the end
When would reach the Promised Land
They marched through barren hills
They endured the scorching sun
Mind and body sucked dry by pain
That would make most folks insane
Children’s screams they became louder
Tears poured down their mothers’ eyes
Still the weary helped the lame
For unwavering was their aim
They sang the songs of freedom
They cried the tears of hope
The stranger became friend
Dreaming of the Promised Land
We kept watching on the wide screen
To us seemed a threatening crowd
With fear our heart was tense
We screamed, let’s build a fence
They were soon all apprehended
Treated like wild beasts of prey
Children torn from mothers’ breasts
Inside pens they took their rest
They sang the songs of freedom
They cried the tears of hope
They couldn’t comprehend
Such a soulless Promised Land
They pleaded for compassion
They sought our understanding
They hoped that we would care
They wept, crushed by despair
We stayed seating on church benches
Kneeling on the wooden pews
Thanking God he raised his hand
To keep safe our homes and land
They sang the songs of freedom
They cried the tears of hope
They sang hand holding hand
Dreaming still the Promised Land