Can't Nobody Take Me Away

but I knew that I'd finally find my way in.

I am here to stay,

and can't nobody take me away.

You brought me here from a distant land

and made me sweat and toil by hand.

Now, I'm back by popular demand

and can't nobody take me away!

You never thought that I'd be free.

Always thought you could get rid of me.

Bet you wished that I would flee,

but I am here to stay

and can't nobody take me away!

You see, I am the voice of 400 years

of heartaches, hopes, dreams, and fears.

Crying to a world where no one hears,

but I am here to stay

and can't nobody take me away!

I’ll be the sea.

Whatever you ask for

That’s what I’ll be.

Whenever you hunger

I’ll be all that you need.

So when confusion’s clouding your eyes

seek the love that I can’t disguise

and just like an angel

I’ll lift you up.

If you are the river

I’ll be the sea.

Like flowers to sunlight

bend towards me.

Like a child in the darkness

I’ll be the light that you need.

And if you missed the look in my eyes

you’ll feel the passion burning deep down inside

reach for me gently

and don’t let me go.

If you are the river

I’ll be the sea.

When life’s overwhelming

breathe deeply of me.

Just let me get closer

and I’ll set you free.

So when temptation’s starting to rise

and you need freedom just look in my eyes

and I’ll still be waiting

until the end of time.

If you are the river

I’ll be the sea.

They kill and they rape.

And so many people

turn to drugs to escape

A world full of lies.

A world filled with deceit.

Everywhere that you turn

it's all that you'll meet.

Just look in my eyes,

they're red and they strain.

They mirror the truth

and echo my pain.

I'm born in a time

I was not meant to be.

There's no reason or rhyme

for what's happened to me.

Maybe it was my mother

who beat me for love

or my drunken father,

rest his soul up above.

Got to get away!

Got to get away!

Got to get away!

So I can face another day!

Trying something new

when the day is through,

nothing left to do...

I tried to pass without stopping,

but as I passed by this man

he stretched out his hand

and turned to me and said:

'I stand before you humble and poor.

I've been 'round town begging door to door.

Find it in your heart to do a good deed

and help a fellow man in his time of need.'

To which I replied:

'I am but one,

In number I'm few.

One's effort is futile,

How can I help you?'

and I went on my way.

I came across a woman begging with child.

Her clothing unkempt; hair matted and wild.

As I passed through the crowd, she called out to me.

Two others stopped also, making us three.

She turned to me and said:

'I stand before you and I'm just about due.

I've no shelter to stay in. I don't know what to do.

Look into your soul and see

if you can have some pity on me.'

To which I replied:

'I am but one,

In number I'm few.

One's effort is futile

How can I help you?

and I continued on my way.

It is now quite a few years after that day.

I no longer ignore people in my usual way.

You see, my crops have all failed and my cattle are dead.

I've no place where I can rest my head.

In my wildest dreams I never thought it could be

that the next beggar I met turned out to be me.

'My crops have all failed, and my cattle have died.'

Into a crowd of strangers I cried.

'You there! Please listen! And you!

Everything I tell you is true!

I've nothing to eat and I've no place to stay.

Please, help me in some small way.'

With tears in my eyes I turned to face each

and one by one they echoed my speech.