The Choir of Fraternity
We came in groups: the illegals.
We arrived in families, in caravans, in overloaded boats, makeshift balsas
Husbands, wives, single mothers, children, grandparents
All citizens of Refugee Nation, exhausted but in high spirits
We arrived at the Not-Promised-Land
We, the destitute people of the world
We came in masses, like ancient nomads, through rain, snow, and wind
With children in our back, on our shoulders, on our arms, holding our hand
What could we do? What can we do? Where else can we go?
Exhausted but in high spirits, we, the citizens of Refugee Nation
On the long march forward in search of life
Through dusty roads, stormy seas, crossing jungles
Hiding from the Border Police
Like as if we were hiding from God in Paradise
We arrived at our new home, our new country
A long winding road at our back
Forgotten at the roadside, broken luggage
Still carrying the scent of memories left behind
A sign carved on iron at the entrance of the Refugee Camp
Brought memories of another sign
"Arbeit Macht Frei"
Grandparents remember
Grandchildren must yet live to remember
"If you have been accepted, it doesn't mean you belong"
Claimed the invisible sign
Cruel the same, real from then on, in every meal
Like an evil shadow, this mantra showed in every public office
Through the eyes of public officers
And so, we crossed lines of suspicious eyes
We crossed lines of banners and signs
"You're welcome," some posters said
"Go home," others said
"We have no home," we wanted to say
Children attempted to sing the Song of Fraternity
But no one had taught them the lyrics yet
Alas, but we knew; we knew we didn't belong
We knew it rightly; rightly, we knew
Because the open mouth doesn't see the heart
"If you have been accepted, it doesn't mean you belong"
Never forget these words in this great home of ours
In this great house, which is the Earth
We're all equals before God
But God knows not how equal we are
There is a place in Paradise, but alas, not for you
You're too poor, too black, too brown, too white
The colour of your skin makes you a sinner
The depth of your wallet makes you a sinner
Wars that others start make you a sinner
You have been accepted, yet remember, you don't belong
Alas, these words are mute words but are here
In the wind, in the heart of people
Keep us segregated, excluded from everything
Suspicious at birth; judged through life
We, the ones once blessed
By another man, poor, destitute, tortured, crucified
He just wanted to say, enough!
Welcome yeh all, say the signs, but keep yourselves quiet
Whoever disturbs the peace of this plantation will be prosecuted
Yes, we are the new citizens: Citizens of Refugee Nation
Yet, don't expect a passport from this country
"If you have been accepted, it doesn't mean that you belong"
Out of tune, the crowd sang the Song of Fraternity
Yet they knew no lyrics.
