Freedom Song

With blisters on her feet, she walked the road each day

Montgomery, Alabama '55

Singing, "Justice is going to flow down like a river

Our children would no longer be deprived"

Rosa's heart was heavy, but she would never cry

For her people she would stand and hold the line

Armed with the power of songs and simply dignity

She swore, "The voice that would surrender won't be mine"

Woman singing a freedom song,

Woman showing us the way

Rosa never took that bus, but walked on through the rain

She prayed for the power to make her stand alone

Soon voices filled the streets from the county's back rooms

Spirits raised by the courage of just one

Rosa Parks had a dream and it lifted her

Of simply how much better life could be

She lit the flame and the fire is still burning

Inside every heart that's longing to be free

Woman singing a freedom song,

Woman showing us the way

Woman singing a freedom song,

I'd love to hear that voice today

With blisters on her feet, she moved from place to place

Outside Dublin city '81

Sick and tired of being a stranger in her own home

Where others had their comforts, she had none

They gave Nan Joyce's people 48 hours

To leave with their belongings once againg

But Nan Joyce had seen enough of these evictions

She dreaded facing the winter's wind and rain

All her life Nan faced fear and ignorance

Saw her loved ones turned away from countless doors

With ancient songs and tales around the warm fire

Spirits raised by the wealth of the travellers lore

Nan Joyce had a dream and it lifted her

She stood her ground and held her head on high

She found her voice and spoke out

So her children could be loved

As Irish brothers and sisters by and by