The Awakening lyrics

Sister girl, 
Wanna tell you about this thing, 
That's been weighing heavy on my heart
Haunts both my dreams and my first breath

Hmmm, where to start, well...
Revolution, it seems, has become an antique
When in my youth, revolution was what we rose with the sun to seek
We were fierce

Now, our glory days are nothing
But a page in an edge worn book, 
An afro, a raised fist, 
A black beret, Black pride; 
Set aside, 
Reduced to mere history

It saddens me
Mm, it saddens me

But will these words fall on deaf ears?
'Cause my tears won't fill up the riverbed of resistance and change
It's gone dry; and gone and unknown are the names
Which gave that river its tranquility, 
Its beautiful force and Godspeed
Rise up out of the complacency induced sleep
We need – an Awakening
Bring, bring, bring the noise, Daughter
Now is the time for you and your generation
To put this universal chaos in order
Me and mine, we've held high the picket signs, 
Met behind closed doors, 
Spoke out against wars, 
Spoke up for Art and Equality, 
Told people, "we a Community, a Family"
The years travel quick, like speed of light
And the torch light is burning low
And my tears, you know, 
They won't fill the riverbed of resistance and change
They're just an offering for those who have been named – with love
And those who have died nameless, 
That they rest, knowing that their lives
Were worth the fight;
That this planet and life
Are gifts to all, 
And not just a chosen few

The now and future are up to you, 
So what are you and your brothers and sisters gonna do?

"But, Mama, 
The resistance seemed so futile, 
When all the while, 
Government and media massacre my dreams
We, my brothers and sisters and me, 
Are at the mercy, 
Of Dotcoms, bombs that kill at least 30 daily, 
The constant downward spiral of music and humanity, 
A general lack of concern, knowledge, and history, 
Our potential leaders and spokespeople
Are chasing materialistic ideals
Seems our fates have been sealed
With a "Bling Bling" kiss
So, 
Shall I just have the violins play for me, 
As I recite this soliloquy
Of missed opportunity?
A eulogy
At the funeral for the modern day Visionary; 
Or shall I rise as you call me?
Will I fall, or stand firmly?

Mama, advise me
Guide me
I want to be made ready"

Baby girl, you sound ready to me
The spirit, fire, of Assata, Angela, Gandhi, King, and Garvey
In your veins bleed; they're your legacy
Keep your eyes on the prize of Peace
And don't pardon me while I preach, 
Because, 
Even hurricane and tsunami have spoken Earth's peace
As they rose, with wind and waves, to say
"Cease this increase of heartlessness, and regress"

So please, please, 
Beg no apology, as you speak, 
The truth, move...
Into the Awakening
Bring, bring, 
Bring the noise, Daughter
It's past time for you and your
Generation to put this universal chaos in order

The now and future are up to you
So What are You and Your Brothers and Sisters gonna do?

"Mama, I still question the meanings
Of freedom and peace, 
But I will not retreat, 
I will instead meet this challenge, head on
And heart strong
Sing my protest songs"

Take your hand, an example
And go well into the storm and struggle
With torchlight ample
And bright
To fight

Awaken my spirit, 
Shaken, but never stirred
Make my generation's voice heard
Rewrite this thing, 
Bring the noise and The Awakening

Sing, sing, 
Sing, sing, 
Sing, sing, 
Sing, sing, 

Sing, 

Sing, 

The Awakening