African Violet - Terry Callier

African violet

Ain’t you through dreaming yet?

With all your words so deep

How come you’re still asleep?

Afroamerican

I’ll tell you like a friend

Try to remember, dear

We’re only strangers here

My heart is in Zimbabwe

Because my friends are there

African violet

Sometimes your eyes are wet

So many dreams you keep

But so many tears you weep

Afroamerican

I’ll tell you once again

Try to remember my dear

We’re only pilgrims here

I know you’ve always done the hardest chores

You cook the food and you scrub the floors

Your sons and daughters fought and died in their wars

How quickly they forget

African violet

African violet

You never will regret

When all these trials are done

You’ll see the rising sun

Afroamerican

I’ll tell you once again

Try to remember my dear

We’re only pilgrims here

My heart is in Zimbabwe

Because my friends are there

I said, freedom

Won’t you talk about freedom

I said, freedom

Won’t you talk about freedom, children yeah

Long time ago in a land far away

Some people come explore one day

They see beautiful children

Running through the sunshine, yeah

They say we take these people, peaceful people

To another clime and place

Make them work from day to day

Keeping dirt upon their face

Children, yea, ya ya (x2)

Bring them in chains

Take away their names

Heep on them disgrace

Then remove them from this place

Multiply their fears

For 450 years

Then tell them they are free

But remove the means for them to be

African violet (x4)

My heart is in Zimbabwe

Because my friends are there

I said, freedom

Sweet sweet freedom