Lyrics African Violet - Terry Callier

African Violet

African violet
Ain’t you through dreaming yet?
With all your words so deep
How come you’re still asleep?
Afroamerican
I’ll tell you like a friend
Try to remember, dear
We’re only strangers here
My heart is in Zimbabwe
Because my friends are there
African violet
Sometimes your eyes are wet
So many dreams you keep
But so many tears you weep
Afroamerican
I’ll tell you once again
Try to remember my dear
We’re only pilgrims here
I know you’ve always done the hardest chores
You cook the food and you scrub the floors
Your sons and daughters fought and died in their wars
How quickly they forget
African violet
African violet
You never will regret
When all these trials are done
You’ll see the rising sun
Afroamerican
I’ll tell you once again
Try to remember my dear
We’re only pilgrims here
My heart is in Zimbabwe
Because my friends are there
I said, freedom
Won’t you talk about freedom
I said, freedom
Won’t you talk about freedom, children yeah
Long time ago in a land far away
Some people come explore one day
They see beautiful children
Running through the sunshine, yeah
They say we take these people, peaceful people
To another clime and place
Make them work from day to day
Keeping dirt upon their face
Children, yea, ya ya (x2)
Bring them in chains
Take away their names
Heep on them disgrace
Then remove them from this place
Multiply their fears
For 450 years
Then tell them they are free
But remove the means for them to be
African violet (x4)
My heart is in Zimbabwe
Because my friends are there
I said, freedom
Sweet sweet freedom