Amnesty Poem by Gerry Freeman

How long?
Lord, Lord how long?

Don't let anybody tell you
There's been some progress made.
No, no, no, don't let them fool you,
Because it ain't that way.
That's just some politicians talking,
Playing their old con game.
You can change their names and faces,
Everything else stays the same.

When so many millions hunger
Let's not pretend they're free,
While money's making money,
Incestuously.
That's the way it's always been,
You might say: 'What's the use? '
One war leads straight to another,
Seems like it's time we called a truce.
We all know what we've gotta do,
But still we can't agree.
Just answer me one question,
When will there be
Amnesty,
In the tenements and ghettos?
Amnesty,
In the shanties of Soweto?
Amnesty,
For the beggars down in Rio?
Amnesty. Amnesty.

Now if I'm not alone,
If I'm not the only one,
Why can't we get together?
Maybe get something done?
So many promises are made.
They say a change will come.
But how long must we wait?
How long, how long?
There's got to be a better way
Time's running out, you see?
Just answer me one question,
When will there be
Amnesty,
For the victims of aggression?
Amnesty,
From tyranny, oppression?
Amnesty,
For every hostage, every refugee?
Amnesty. Amnesty.