Mark Carrels - We crave democracy lyrics

WE CRAVE DEMOCRACY [Title] [VERSE 1] You gave birth to despair - apartheid A throw-away child, [system abandoned us] I had no fight We bore the burden, [of a pariah community] like things despised The weight of inhumanity, [inferiority] you never recognised Colours of our rainbow nation [different races] blurred your lines [didn't recognize one nation] The Weight of oppression, shackled into our confines [activists incarcerated] [Chorus] Now still we crave ... democracy; [still struggling despite democracy and one man one vote] Now still we crave ... a better life Now still we crave democracy; [VERSE 2] There shall be equality for all, not this lunacy [still too much crime, corruption] Politics of, a grave inhumanity [many still destitute as money wasted] So lives lie ruined this our destiny; Still there's madness in the street [still protests bedevil the new 20 year old democracy] Some deja vu we place our feet; [seems like the old days of activism against apartheid] Bloodied in those of our ancestors [we carry their pain] Who say open the doors To a life of prosperity ... Not inhumanity, not inhumanity [all people need a better life] [Chorus] Now we still crave democracy Now still we crave .... a better life .. Now still we crave democracy [VERSE 3] A life of equality, Not this fallacy A people's greed and opulence The politics of entitlement does it make sense? [politicians lining their pockets] Hungry children on pavements crying; [children suffer due to self-enrichment - we need to think of the future] And our mothers, fathers dying.... So Where on earth will it end ... And Who will defend .... Our rights, our fight, our plight [Chorus] Now still we crave democracy Now still we crave .. a better life Now still we crave democracy Not this our destiny [VERSE 4] A brother with a shotgun to his head [youth turning to crime] He lies on a lonely road, yet another dead [gangsterism rife] A nation ponders, families left to ruin [families destroyed by gangsterism] Try as we might, battles we can't win [authorities seem to battle to uphold the law] Too many lives lived in fear [we are free but not free on the streets] For some too much to bear [people going abroad for greener pastures] A country lies battered and bruised Yet another child's dignity abused [child abuse still a problem] [Chorus] Now still we crave ... democracy; Now still we crave ... a better life [VERSE 5] Now still we crave democracy We need to rid of this legacy Now shacks have grown [poverty in informal settlements] Where many still sit forlorn; [people need jobs] One wipes his brow, as if poverty his fate He had hopes but destiny's date Keeps reminding him of his fate [nowhere to turn to] And now a nation sees the past [reminder of the past for the present generation] In their future, they say will last [Chorus] Now still we crave ... democracy; Now still we crave ... a better life Now still we crave democracy [VERSE 6] Not this autocracy Vulnerable lies a Political heartland of malice [politicians don't care about the under privileged] Now they claim the ills of a poisoned chalice [they inherited the system they say] A landscape now lies riven Hope the vestiges of dignity won't disappear into oblivion [need to pull back the frontiers of poverty and disenfranchisement] The anger hate and prejudice [lots of racism still today] Still lies buried in crumpled fists [poor are taking to the streets to protest their dismay/grievances] And now issues of the past [still haunted by apartheid] Still haunt us .. they last, they last [where will it end?] [Chorus] Now still we crave ... democracy; Now still we crave ... A better life (then repeat and and fade last verse) CREDITS: Lyrics: Mark Carrels