“If blood is gonna flow-

Let it flow all over this city. If gas is going to be used, 

let that gas come down all over Chicago!”* And over New York-

And the streets of St. Louis, and Minneapolis- 

and Paris, and Berlin, and Brisbane- 

O’er the seas and shores of the countries so “strong”-

So silent-

If you’re silent, you’re compliant 

but put yourself in their shoes-

Let the spray paint infect your tongue-

And the tear gas sting your eyes-

And rubber bullets wound your skin-

At least you’re still alive.

Hear the voices ringing-

Can you hear them now?

Hear the marching of those 

who have spent too long-

In countries so silent 

and countries so “strong”-

In countries built on justice and peace-

But those who fight for freedom 

are the same ones who bleed.

Hear their cries,

 imagine their terror, 

see their blood-

If blood is gonna flow let it fill the streets of-

The countries who have too long turned a blind eye-

The countries who covered their ears-

To ignore the pleas of their people-

And who try to drown out the voices and cries -

With tear gas and gunfire.

If gas is going to be used-

Let it cover the world in a blanket-

Let it be carried by the winds to the corners of the seas-

And skies, to the heavens and beyond-

Let the wind carry their voices to the edge of the earth-

And let the fallen’s names not be forgotten-

To forget is to let those who turn away win-

Why do you turn away 

when your people are bleeding?

Why do you tear lives away 

and then call it freedom?

If we’re free, tell me why 

children have to worry 

about what the next corner will bring-

Or what happened to their family-

Or if they’ll see next spring. 

“If blood is going to flow-

Let it flow all over this city. If gas is going to be used, 

let that gas come down all over Chicago!”* And over New York-

And the streets of St. Louis, and Minneapolis- 

and Paris, and Berlin, and Brisbane-

Until their voices are heard-

You can’t ignore the screams of the people-

Who have fought too long to stop history-

From repeating itself.

History is a book that has already been written-

And the future shows that a fight for freedom

Is a road so dark and imminent,

That even the brightest diamonds can’t light the way. 

(*Quote used from Tom Hayden’s speech at the democratic convention protest in Chicago,  1968)