Slave to Labor
Behave
I can't
Endure
I've done
No longer can I be
A slave to labor
Over what it is
Others may see in me
So proceed I must
And shut out doubts that come
The ones that did me in
Like some
In this skin
Trusting
To live not end
Possibilities
Of a life given to me
And I will give it my best
Since I'm not afraid to sweat
Or correct what I need to do
To win
Even if I have to start
From the beginning again
With no resting periods
Between each test
And silent
Without an exclamation used
Or confess to the rest
Finding a grand time
Working on a chain gang
In one collected insane mind
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
No More Chain Gang
He was black and handsome
And mighty mighty brave
Comin from the backwoods
The grandson of a slave
He was caught for something
They knew hed never done
And he was diggin ditches
Out in the burnin sun
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
No more, no more, no more
Man he was a giant
And iron he could bend
And he swore hed fight them
Down to the bitter end
Though he was no talker
His burnin eyes would say
You may keep on tryin
Cant hold me no way
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
No more, no more, no more
And one night he lay in waiting
Hit the guard and took the key
And before the others caught him
He jumped out and he was free
He jumped out and he was free
He made for the swamp lands
It seemed a hopeless duel
They had dogs and shotguns
And they were mighty cruel
But they couldnt find him
He was too smart and strong
Hiding in the daytime
Wandering all night long
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
song performed by by Boney M.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chain Gang Medley
Chain Gang - Written by - Sam Cooke
He Don't Love You - Written by - J. Butler, C. Mayfield & C. Carter
Searchin' - Written by - Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
All day long they work so hard till the sun is goin' down
Working on the highways and byways and wearin', wearin' a frown
Hear them moanin' their lives away
Then you hear somebody say
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
He don't love you, like I love you
If he did he wouldn't break your heart
He don't love you, like I love you
He's trying to tear us apart
Gonna find her, I'm gonna find her, I'm gonna find her
Oh, if I have to climb a mountain, you know I will
And if I have to swim a river, you know I will
And I might find her hidin' up on Blueberry Hill
How am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
Cause I'm goin' searchin'
I'm goin' searchin'
Searchin' everywhere
Just like some Northwest Mountie
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
All day long they work so hard till the sun is goin' down
Working on the highways and byways and wearin', wearin' a frown
Hear them moanin' their lives away
Then you hear somebody say
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang
That's the sound of the men working on the chain gang (5 x's)
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Work Song
Oscar brown jr, nat adderley
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Breaking rocks and serving my time
Breaking rocks out here on the chain gang
Because they done convicted me of crime
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been
Working and working
But I still got so terribly far to go
I commited crime lord I needed
Crime of being hungry and poor
I left the grocery store man bleeding (breathing? )
When they caught me robbing his store
Hold it steady right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been
Working and working
But I still got so terribly far to go
I heard the judge say five years
On chain-gang you gonna go
I heard the judge say five years labor
I heard my old man scream lordy, no!
Hold it right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been
Working and working
But I still got so terribly far to go
Gonna see my sweet honey bee
Gonna break this chain off to run
Gonna lay down somewhere shady
Lord I sure am hot in the sun
Hold it right there while I hit it
Well reckon that ought to get it
Been
Workin and workin
Been
Workin and slavin
An
Workin and workin
But I still got so terribly far to go
song performed by by Nina Simone
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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New Beginning
The whole worlds broke and it aint worth fixing
Its time to start all over, make a new beginning
Theres too much pain, too much suffering
Lets resolve to start all over make a new beginning
Now dont get me wrong - I love life and living
But when you wake up and look around at everything thats going down -
All wrong
You see we need to change it now, this world with too few happy endings
We can resolve to start all over make a new beginning
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
The world is broken into fragments and pieces
That once were joined together in a unified whole
But now too many stand alone - theres too much separation
We can resolve to come together in the new beginning
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
We can break the cycle - we can break the chain
We can start all over - in the new beginning
We can learn, we can teach
We can share the myths the dream the prayer
The notion that we can do better
Change our lives and paths
Create a new world and
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
The whole worlds broke and it aint worth fixing
Its time to start all over, make a new beginning
Theres too much fighting, too little understanding
Its time to stop and start all over
Make a new beginning
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over
We need to make new symbols
Make new signs
Make a new language
With these well define the world
And start all over
Start all over
Start all over
Start all over ...
song performed by by Tracy Chapman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Afraid
Do you, do you wanna bleed?
Do you, do you wanna live in vain?
Its only life
Shes so afraid to kiss
An so afraid to laugh
Is she runnin from her past?
Its only life
Shes so afraid of love
Is so afraid of hate
Whats she runnin from now? ?
Do you, do you wanna scream?
Do you, do you wanna face the strange?
Do you, do you believe?
Are you, are you afraid of change?
Its only life
Shes so afraid of this
And so afraid to ask
She hides behind her mask
Nothings ever right
Shes so afraid of pain
So afraid of blame
Its driving her insane
So insecure
There is no cure
Well, shes so afraid
Shes so afraid of death
Shes so afraid, afraid of life
The drama in her head
Getting louder all the time
Getting louder all the time
Shes so afraid, afraid to lose
Been so afraid of fame
Everyday she feels the same
Its driven her insane...
Its driven her...
Its driven...
Its...
Another broken pretty thing
song performed by by Motley Crue
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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384
how i wish the world is blind to see me naked and broken
they always say
ever since i was small
this little boy is ugly
he will not have a promising future
(did they think that i better be thrown
to the sea and be eaten by sharks
or to the forest so i can be the prey
to those predators?)
they let me live, however,
thanks, nonetheless, and i have grown to be what i am
ugly
learning to live this way
ugly
time however has told me a different story
about the ugliness that lies only on the surface of
things, and living memories have grown in me
the seeds
some possibilities
for beauty
like i can grow a mind of my own
like i can be cultivated like a beautiful flower
of my choosing
in my own garden
like i can have the possibility of
a sweet scent
or i can be a slender plant that will bear
some luscious fruits
to feed the world and make it feel
that i can
quench its thirst
or satisfy its hunger
i have learned patiently
how to be a better possibility and long time ago
when i undressed myself
removing some layers of sadness
and confusion
skin upon skin upon skin
i was once afraid of everything
the windows
the cracks and the crevices
i was once afraid of the hundred eyes of this world
those walls barring me
those writings on the fences of my existence
shouting that
i am ugly
(that i do not have the right to live
or anything to live with)
i go naked again
time places another mirror at the center of my
thoughts,
to see another me
i am beautiful
in my nakedness
now, i do not wish anymore a blind world
so it can see the unfolding
the coming of my
thousand possibilities like some kind winds
white sea caps and gentle sands,
i am beautiful and i really know it now
by heart
this confident soul undressed and still so beautiful.
that you, my lovely world,
must start to see.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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How I Wish The World Does Not Have A Hundred Eyes To See Me Naked
how i wish the world is blind to see me naked and broken
they always say
ever since i was small
this little girl is ugly
she will not have a promising future
(did they think that i better be thrown
to the sea and be eaten by sharks
or to the forest so i can be the prey
to those predators?)
they let me live, however,
thanks, nonetheless, and i have grown to be what i am
ugly
learning to live this way
ugly
time however has told me a different story
about the ugliness that lies only on the surface of
things, and living memories have grown in me
the seeds
some possibilities
for beauty
like i can grow a mind of my own
like i can be cultivated like a beautiful flower
of my choosing
in my own garden
like i can have the possibility of
a sweet scent
or i can be a slender plant that will bear
some luscious fruits
to feed the world and make it feel
that i can
quench its thirst
or satisfy its hunger
i have learned patiently
how to be a better possibility and long time ago
when i undressed myself
removing some layers of sadness
and confusion
skin upon skin upon skin
i was once afraid of everything
the windows
the cracks and the crevices
i was once afraid of the hundred eyes of this world
those walls barring me
those writings on the fences of my existence
shouting that
i am ugly
(that i do not have the right to live
or anything to live with)
i go naked again
time places another mirror at the center of my
thoughts,
to see another me
i am beautiful
in my nakedness
now, i do not wish anymore a blind world
so it can see the unfolding
the coming of my
thousand possibilities like some kind winds
white sea caps and gentle sands,
i am beautiful and i really know it now
by heart
this confident soul undressed and still so beautiful.
that you, my lovely world, must start to see.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Slave To The Rhythm
Work all day, as men who know,
Wheels must turn to keep, to keep the flow,
Build on up, dont break the chain,
Sparks will fly, when the whistle blows,
Never stop the action,
Keep it up, keep it up,
Work to the rhythm,
Live to the rhythm,
Love to the rhythm,
Slave to the rhythm,
Axe to wood, in ancient time,
Man machine, power line,
Fires burn, heart beats strong,
Sing out loud, the chain gang song,
Never stop the action,
Keep it up, keep it up,
Breath to the rhythm,
Dance to the rhythm,
Work to the rhythm,
Live to the rhythm,
Love to the rhythm,
Slave to the rhythm.
song performed by by Grace Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Oh Bondage Up Yours
Some people think little girls
Should be seen and not heard
But I think, Oh Bondage, Up Yours!
One, Two, Three, Four
Bind me tie me
Chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave
To you all
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Chain-store chain-smoke
I consume you all
Chain-gang chain-mail
I don't think at all
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Thrash me crash me
Beat me till I fall
I wanna be a victim
For you all
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Bind me tie me
Chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave
To you all
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Bind me tie me
Chain me to the wall
I wanna be a slave
To you all
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
song performed by by X-Ray Spex
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Room with an Empty Door
I live in a dark room
It’s room of silence
Where there’s only one window
And no single door
There are ghost live here
There are voices that keep hunting me
I am afraid each night
For I never fall asleep
They’re disturbing me
I must talk to them
But I can’t, they’re just hallucinations
They‘re killing my mind
I confess I did something wrong in the past
That becomes my nightmare
That I am paying for it
That’s why I live in this place
O, pretty soon, I’ll be insane
I must escape from this place
I must live another life
But I don’t know how?
I need some help…
poem by Rey Benipayo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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He Passed The Test!
When tempting the Lord Jesus Satan said
'Command all these stones to turn into bread.'
'Man shall not live by bread alone, ' Jesus said
'But by the words that come from God instead.'
Then he took Jesus to the temple height
saying 'Throw yourself down, you'll be alright.'
'For His angels will protect you from harm'
'So You have no cause for any alarm.'
Jesus answered him, for He knew what was best,
'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'
Then causing Jesus earths kingdoms to see
'I'll give you these if you bow down to me'
'Away from me Satan', Jesus then said,
'I will worship God and serve Him instead.'
Satan failed in what he attempted
to make Jesus sin when he was tempted.
The Lord withstood temptations greatest test.
Then angels ministered to help Him rest.
He was determined to complete God's plan
to bring eternal salvation to man.
Many doubts and fears come across our way
but with God's help we can still make headway.
By believing what it says in God's Word
and trusting the promises from the Lord.
For I am so often tempted to sin
and I am full of fears and doubts within.
But then back to the cross I can still go
and there God's forgiveness and cleansing know.
Chain Reaction
Something bout the way
The moon and the stars are moving across the sky
Something in the still night air is telling me now is the time to try
Ive been scheming, dreaming up a plan of how to get to you
Now conditions are right deep in the night
To do what Ive got to do
To start up a chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Im no fool, Ill be cool
Its a powerful thing that Im trying to do
Gonna fix it up, mix it up good
Handle with care like I know I should
And blow it sky high, sky high
With a chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Set a spark to the heart
That will start up the soul attraction
Get to the mystery of the chemistry
Chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain reaction
(repeat)
That fires up the satisfaction
Chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain reaction
song performed by by Wynonna Judd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dont Shut Me Out
Don't shut me out maybe baby
We should talk about it
'Cause you've got your doubts but maybe, baby
They might be unfounded
Have a little faith you'll make it through
I'd never hesitate to talk to you
If you tell me just what's weighing on your mind
Maybe it could help you sleep tonight
So don't shut me out
Don't be so proud don't ya know that
Before a fall it leaves ya
And it'll take you down baby that ain't
Where I wanna see ya
The sun'll rise tomorrow come what may
And you'll feel better than you do today
And in time you'll cry no more
I know 'cause my heart's been there before
And here I am when you need someone
My shoulder's yours to cry upon
And everybody now and then
Needs and understanding friend around
So don't shut me out
Don't shut me out maybe baby
We should talk about it
'Cause you've got your doubts but maybe, baby
They might be unfounded
Listen to your heart and clear your mind
And you will find the answer every time
Every road you travel on will lead
To where it is your heart's supposed to be
And here I am when you need someone
My shoulder is yours to cry upon
And everybody now and then
Needs an understandin' friend around
So don't shut me out, don't shut me out, don't shut me out
song performed by by Keith Urban
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Slave Day
One lonely feburary
was a day to memory
It was like thinking about labor day in September
a day to remember
Only it was Black History month
So I bring this thought to mind
black brother's incarcerated
doing time for not a dime
Inmates painting doors, walls and bars
for a cause to be out in the jail victorous hall
Receiving T-shirts, underwear and socks for pay
what a rift
slaving them brother's each and everyday
putting Amendment Xlll in full effect
lining their pockets for a fat check
just to buy you a luxury toy
you better kill that noise
before you reap what you sow
end up like them boys
My tray has arrive to my mighty surprise
fish, chicken, watermelon and corn on the cob
I lied
regular prison food
I cried
Thinking about the joyful day off on labor day
no work
but fun and play
a free day on my check
you bet
brother's being slave with no rest
but sweat as they stand on deck
My mind is now in full effect
to be totally free
to earn a honest check
I'm set
But remembering my brother's and relatives in prison
on 'labor Day'
let's redress
no time to celebrate
it's 'Slave Day'
let's progress
poem by LaRon Green Sr.
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Simple Fight
Simple men destined for fancy fights
Find the treasure chests
In their evening rest
Frowning on the cuddly toys
In an eventual rest.
I have some resting to speak about,
Fines are startling me in a final elixir,
Finding arts and their principles
After too many years,
And men could hear the fighting.
This resting settlement is a settlement,
Villages start to rock and righteously rock
When strenuously fighting with other rocks.
I have no rest in sight,
I am simpler than the ritualistic days
After my death,
After my life.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Treasure Each Moment Given
Let go of your hold,
On sad yesterdays.
Treasure each moment,
Of today.
And know what was 'then'...
Can and will be a new 'now'.
To let begin and start.
Just open your heart...
And live!
Give and receive more happiness.
Release from your mind limits set.
And let all regrets,
You've collected to upset.
Remove them from your doorstep...
And live.
It's your life to like and not despair.
Wish to meet those who choose fresh air,
To breathe.
Believe you are there,
Free from rules to break!
Or dreams you can not make come true.
It's up to you...
To prove you can do it!
Give and receive more happiness.
Release from your mind limits set.
And let all regrets,
You've collected to upset.
Remove them from your doorstep...
And live.
Let go of your hold,
On sad yesterdays.
Treasure each moment,
Of today.
And know what was 'then'...
Can and will be a new 'now'.
To let begin and start.
Just open your heart...
And live!
Who better than you,
Would you pick or choose...
To 'star' as the one to play that part?
Treasure each moment given,
To live.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Thats What Its All About
I know its all about you
Its all about me
Working it out, yeah
Thats what its all about
Maybe I was wrong about it
Maybe you were right
I was selfish and demanding
Never satisfied
Ooooh and maybe I made some mistakes before
But this time ill get it right
I know its all about you
Its all about me
Working it out, yeah
Thats what its all about
Its all about love
Its all about trust
I know that youve got your doubts
Yeah, thats what its all,
Its all about
Yeah, thats what its really all about
People said I could live without you
Never be alive, that would be a lie
I was surely down without you
How could I survive
Ooooh, listen up baby all on me
Cause you made me realise
I know its all about you
Its all about me (meeee)
Working it out, yeah
Thats what its all about
Its all about love
Its all about trust
I know that youve got your doubts
Yeah, thats what its all,
Its all about
Love you got to have some patience
No matter what the situation
When you know whats on your mind
Got to follow the feelings inside
Its all about you
Its all about me
Working it out yeah
Thats what its all about
Its all about love
Its all about trust
I know that youve got your doubts
Yeah, thats what its all,
Its all about
All about you
All about me
Thats what its all about
All about love
All about trust
Thats what its all,
Its all about...
song performed by by Westlife
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Passing day
With every passing day
And with every morning sun
I lift my eyes and mind
To the new world that has just begun
No longer afraid
No longer alone
This planet earth
Makes me feel fine
Although weightlessness cannot be found
In space it is all around
Mind can span worlds sometimes time
So let's enjoy it - I feel fine
Free as a bird soaring high
Invisible as the air it needs
When one's mind is elsewhere
Who's to say where life will lead
Looking down to where you stand
And higher than the trees
See all around you
And listen to the breeze
Many things can be told
And as time goes by other things unfold
So listen my friend and don't be afraid
We cannot live forever so live each day
poem by JeanJacques Evendon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Come, My Lady
Come my lady
Give me your hand
As there is no rest
For a working man
For it is in by a clock
And home late after dark
And no time for my rest
Only time for my work
So come to my table
Bring me my bread
Lay down my dinner
Then I can go to my bed
Give me all your troubles
I will take all your worries
For I am a working man now
Who has no hurries.
So come my lady
Give me some time
For I am a working man now
Who needs some rest
My shoulders are wide
And my troubles are many
I will take all that you got
For now you are my lady.
So come, my lady
And give me a kiss
I am a working man now
Who needs a kiss
So give me a hug
and then some of your love
For I am a working man now
Who cannot get enough.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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In the Beginning
In the beginning was the Word…
what’s a beginning, then?
a beginning, perhaps, not in time;
a beginning, perhaps, with time itself;
in our time, the recognition’s all;
beginning known within our being;
being that is beyond beginning;
and so, always being; always beginning..
so, in the beginning – is - the Word..
the Word, a sound? yet heard before the ear;
a speaking and a listening,
waiting to be heard…
the Word, finding for itself a time;
finding for itself a place;
a wakening; a becoming;
for this, we know:
a beginning; a becoming;
the word becomes, as things become;
every word is a becoming;
that, the yogis hear;
that, poets listen for;
that spurs all philosophers;
every becoming is the Word;
every word is a becoming.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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