Terry Callier - African Violet lyrics

African violet Ain't you through dreaming yet? With all your words so deep How come you're still asleep? Afroamerican I'll tell you like a friend Try to remember, dear We're only strangers here My heart is in Zimbabwe Because my friends are there African violet Sometimes your eyes are wet So many dreams you keep But so many tears you weep Afroamerican I'll tell you once again Try to remember my dear We're only pilgrims here I know you've always done the hardest chores You cook the food and you scrub the floors Your sons and daughters fought and died in their wars How quickly they forget African violet African violet You never will regret When all these trials are done You'll see the rising sun Afroamerican I'll tell you once again Try to remember my dear We're only pilgrims here My heart is in Zimbabwe Because my friends are there I said, freedom Won't you talk about freedom I said, freedom Won't you talk about freedom, children yeah Long time ago in a land far away Some people come explore one day They see beautiful children Running through the sunshine, yeah They say we take these people, peaceful people To another clime and place Make them work from day to day Keeping dirt upon their face Children, yea, ya ya (x2) Bring them in chains Take away their names Heep on them disgrace Then remove them from this place Multiply their fears For 450 years Then tell them they are free But remove the means for them to be African violet (x4) My heart is in Zimbabwe Because my friends are there (x2) I said, freedom Sweet sweet freedom