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Ton y Norwell
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The Empire Windrush
The Empire Windrush
“Thus from a mixture of all kinds began –
That heterogeneous thing, an Englishman.” From “The True Born Englishman” Daniel Defoe.
On the Empire Windrush we came over here – We thought we'd be welcome to stay. There were many more like us – who wanted to work – With regular dignified pay – yes, with regular dignified pay. We came from an island that we all loved so true – But there was no work to let us just live. We were told your land needed and wanted us, too, And our work was one thing we could give.
Refrain:
Oh, Empire Windrush, oh , what has gone wrong? Oh, why do they treat us this way? Oh, Empire Windrush – come back to us now – For I think you should take us away – Yes, I think you should take us away.
It all went all right for some of us then – It was good to have plenty to eat. But slowly we learned that some of you thought You'd not want us to live in your street – You'd not want us to live in your street.
The first time they abused me because of my skin I tried to pretend not to hear. The next time I couldn't show how much it hurt – The third time I fought back my tears – Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com The third time I fought back my tears.
The fourth time I asked why they had to look down On others to make themselves feel good. The fifth time in tears of anger and hurt I asked if their hearts were of wood – I asked if their hearts were of wood.
Now as I grow older much still seems the same – So little appears to have changed; But there're far fewer jobs and at least as much hate – A generation of people estranged – A generation of people estranged.
I've got two grown up kids I love all I can; One's just left school to go on the dole. The other's in Brixton for two years at least – He wanted enough so he stole – He wanted enough so he stole.
Is this the “Old Country” – liberal and free – Whence folk of all skin colours came? Where no one would mind how “different” we were – But would rather see ways we're the same – But would rather see ways we're the same!
Oh come on all people of whatever creed – Or what colour or god you may call. We're none of us “perfect” in morals or race – Read the past and we're aliens all – Read the past and we're aliens all!
“We're here because you were there…”
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