Song For The Protest Singer

SONG FOR THE PROTEST SINGER

For the faithful stand you displayed – and the glory songs you played

This one's for you

With my salute and respect – to your pen's skilled effect

For it wrote so true

In a time of troubles and wrongs – you gave your voice to the young

And the common man

Where many more never dared – you sang aloud to be heard

Or be damned

…..

With guitar on your shoulder – you stood wild as a soldier

Of the stage

And the truths you did shout – were like bullets ringing out

From your page

And your ballads and poems, written proud – were the anthems of a crowd

That had suffered too long

And the sonnets you sang were the creed – of an army you would lead

With your battle song

…..

With your choruses and chords – as bard and troubadour

You bared your soul

With your stories full of pain – of disillusion and shame

For the rights they stole

But the fears dissipated – and hopes were celebrated

In your rhyme

And your music gave them chance – for freedom and dance

In a changing time

…..

Ousting tyranny and fraud – Wielding pen as a sword

To the throats of those lords and presidents of propagation

You tore the cloaks from their lies – You filled their ears and their eyes

With the echoes of our cries – Stirred the conscience of a nation

You were our teeth and our tongues – Sharp as daggers in your songs

You were the voice that sang along – For a whole angry generation

…..

The truth be told, it is so – we've still a long way to go

And we're not there yet

But our souls won't be sold – and your songs won't get old

And we won't forget...