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A TOAST TO THE PEOPLE


And though its been too long and
Too many years have passed
And though the time has gone,
The memories still hold fast.

Yes, as strange as it seems
We still live in the past.
The essence of a Black life
Lost in the hour-glass.

And ever since we came to this land
This country has rued the day
When we would stand as one
And raise our voices and say:

You know there won't be no more killings
And no more talk of class;
Your sons and your daughters
Won't die in the hour-glass.

A toast to David Walker
A toast to Martin King
A toast to all the leaders who had a golden dream.
A toast to all Black fathers who lived their lives in vain.
A toast to all Black mothers who shouldered this life in pain.

A toast to the people.

Written by Gil Scott-Heron (1949-2011)

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