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