Charles Mingus "Don't Let It Happen Here" (1966)

"Don't Let It Happen Here"

Charles Mingus

One day they came and they took the communists

and I said nothing because I was not a communist.

Then one day they came and they took the people of the Jewish faith

and I said nothing because I had no faith left.

One day they came and they took the unionists

and I said nothing because I was not a unionist.

One day they burned the Catholic churches

and I said nothing because I was born a Protestant.

Then one day they came and they took me,

and I could say nothing because I was as guilty as they were for not speaking out

and saying that all men have a right to freedom, on any land.

I was as guilty of genocide as you.

All of you.

For you know when a man is free,

and when to set him free from his slavery.

album: Charles Mingus "Music Written For Monterey 1965 - Not Heard, Played In Its Entirety At UCLA" (Jazz Workshop, 1966)

* fitra - knihovna *