Inspired by music of Miriam Makeba and movies such as 'Cry Freedom' and 'A World Apart'.

In the earth of South Africa lies the blood of her heroes,
some never-to-be forgotten, others unknown,
vanquished in the annals of the fight for freedom,
the eons of inequality.

In townships, under tin roofs and on dusty streets,
melodic voices joined in plaintive soulfulness
or chanted of future victories.
And the revolution came.

Slowly and with a silent roar,
unbeckoned by those who wished it not,
yet gathering force day by day,
under watchful eyes who tormented well.

Pulled from homes in dead of night,
tortured, beaten, some never to be seen alive again,
yet the people had hope and faith and courage.
Each new sunrise the beginning of another day.

They finally freed Mandela, a lion who refused to sleep.
Ruth First and Steve Biko, long silenced,
their watch o'er their country still keep,
Sharpeville a long sad memory
its faces lost in the past,
and joyful harmonies sang out from Soweto,
as apartheid was buried at last.