1st August 1834

in all these years it's still the greatest day
the time when all our forebears became free
and the word slave was thrown into the past

that august morning was the brightest dawn
that any in the west indies had seen
breaking the chains and casting down the walls

that this was not enough they soon would learn
bare freedom cannot feed or clothe or house
but with it men and women have the power

to build for themselves in the strongest way
a house that cæsar's power cannot break down
a life that belongs to the ones who live

each august morning is a flaming dawn
each august morning is a recollection
each august morning is a simple promise
that freedom once obtained will still endure