Say hey, are you seeing

In the failing light of evening

At the dying of this long eventful day

What philosophers envisioned

The ancients’ premonition

Is crumbling from the bottom ‘neath the weight

Of manifest potential still unmet

Of centuries of promises unkept

Of justice undelivered and apologies unsaid?

In the three fifths compromise and

While the cherokee were crying 

When Clotilda moored in Mobile Bay

In feckless incarceration 

in children kept in cages

Is the red bursting proof of our own shame:

Of manifest potential still unmet

Of centuries of promises unkept

Of justice undelivered and apologies unsaid.

Is there a flame of courage in your breast? 

The burden of these crimes can you accept? 

Will you lend a hand with me to do your best, my brother,

To free the poor man from the thought of 

His precious son and daughter 

Dying of diseases we can treat, 

To say to the black men long embattled 

That their lives and dreams do matter

And they shall no more be murdered in the streets?

Is there a flame of courage in your breast? My brother,

The burden of these crimes can you accept? My brother, 

Will you lend a hand with me to do your best 

To make this land of opportunity 

A safe and peaceful destiny 

For those fleeing violence and the threat of death,

To fill the courthouses with justice

And mercy’s healing touches

To welcome back the ones who’ve paid their debt?

and now the night is gathering and it's harder and harder to see

the banner that's waving, and who is brave, and who is free

The danger around us

means far less than the hopelessness within

will you dare to brave the darkness and denounce the shame and weakness that's within

will you hold your head up high and

see a better world just steps away?

Can you reject the subtle voices

saying accept it, it has always been this way?

Hunger and thirst for righteousness,

and take the steps to feed yourself,

then bring the basket forward to be shared.

I believe that right before our very eyes

we shall see it be multiplied

and given freely to all who have gathered here.

and we shall not be drowned in hopelessness, my brother.

come with me down to the water's edge, my brother.

be baptized and be born anew as friends and brothers.

Say hey, are you seeing

in the failing light of evening

at the dying of this long eventful day?